Hellen Rae Degn

After being blessed with well more than 9 lives, Hellen Rae Degn passed away peacefully on November 4, 2024, surrounded by her family, after a prolonged illness that never dimmed her passion for life. She was 91 years old. Born on Valentine’s Day in Park City, Utah, to Martha Stringham and Waldemar Degn. Hellen grew up working in her father’s drug stores, peppered throughout the West, as their family moved following her father’s career.

After graduating from high school in Billings, Montana, Hellen earned a B.A. in Art History from Brigham Young University, where she was a sorority queen, after being accepted into MENSA. While at BYU, Hellen met and married Don Rigby, and they were blessed with five children. With young children in tow, Hellen moved with her husband, throughout the western United States, setting out to create a life full of fun memories and experiences for everyone. With her father’s guidance, Hellen started, ran and sold many successful entrepreneurial ventures.

Every person that encountered Hellen was struck by her indomitable joy. One of the countless community and church activities for which she volunteered throughout her life, included producing and directing road shows (plays) while living in Texas. Anyone that knows Hellen, understands that she spent the rest of her life “in character.” In doing so, she impacted many lives, along the way.

Hellen’s final years were filled with wonderful friends and family with whom she enjoyed travel, hours of card-playing, coffee klatches, and countless large family get-togethers, with whom she savored the sweetness of each moment.

Hellen is survived by her sisters, Elizabeth Degn and Judith (Davlo) Vanier and will be missed by her children, Martha (Abel) Porter, Jana Telarole, Julianna Rigby, Kyle (Lisa) Rigby, Jennifer Kohler, her 11 grand-children and 18 great grandchildren, multiple nieces and nephews and her opponents at the card table. Hellen’s legacy of unconditional love, laughter and spontaneity lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Hellen’s children are grateful for and owe a very special thank you to their Aunt Liz who lived with and was Hellen’s primary caretaker for the last several years. Liz showed ever-present patience and provided tender care.