Helen Carpenter
Helen Carpenter passed away peacefully in her home on May 28, 2026 after a short illness. She was born to Richard R. Gordon and Teola Jane Gordon on December 12, 1950, in Kenilworth, Utah. She will be remembered for her unwavering independence, spirited personality, and the fierce love she held for her family, friends, and beloved pets.
A proud and dedicated professional, Helen enjoyed a successful 30-year career with Mountain Bell. She took great pride in being an independent and self-supporting woman, valuing hard work, personal responsibility, and the satisfaction that came from building a career through her own determination and perseverance.
Helen met the love of her life, Craig Carpenter, and together they shared a common philosophy: that a person's word is their bond and that integrity reflects one's true worth. Their relationship was built on mutual respect, loyalty, and a commitment to the values they both held dear.
Helen and Craig shared a love of horses and dogs and found great comfort in being around them. An accomplished rider and a classy cowgirl, Helen believed that "horse people" were good people. Her appreciation for horses remained a constant throughout her life. She also cherished her dogs, whose loyalty, companionship, and affection brought her endless joy and were an important part of her daily life.
Helen was deeply compassionate and devoted much of her time to helping others. As a volunteer with NODA (No One Dies Alone) at the University of Utah, she provided companionship and comfort to patients nearing the end of life, believing that no one should have to face their final journey alone. She also volunteered her time supporting individuals undergoing medical treatment, offering encouragement, comfort, and a caring presence during difficult times. Her empathy, generosity, and quiet acts of service touched many lives and brought solace to both patients and their families.
She loved to shop and could often be found at any swanky boutique she happened upon. Drawn to bright colors and distinctive styles, Helen surrounded herself with beauty, flair, and glamour.
Gardening was one of Helen's greatest joys, and she took tremendous pride in the yards of every home she owned. She spent countless hours weeding, planting, replanting, mowing, trimming, and perfecting her outdoor spaces. After a day of work, she would settle into one of the many chairs on her patio with her pets nearby and enjoy the beauty she had created in her own personal nature preserve. Wind chimes and bird feeders adorned her yard, and she delighted in the buzz of hummingbirds and the gentle music carried by the breeze.
Helen also loved watching a good movie and sharing a bucket of popcorn with family and friends. She was known for keeping a stash of treats in her purse, which she would inevitably pass around midway through the movie.
Helen treasured her role as a grandmother and loved her grandchildren, Kylie Shaw and Justin Shaw, beyond measure. She spoke often of their accomplishments and found great joy in celebrating their successes and milestones.
Helen is survived by her grandchildren, Kylie Shaw and Justin Shaw; her cherished pets, Niki and Cassie; and a wonderful and supportive network of family members who loved her deeply and admired everything she stood for.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Craig Carpenter; her parents, Richard R. Gordon and Teola Jane Gordon; her sister, Carolyn Gordon Burch; and her brother, Jerry R. Gordon.
In accordance with Helen's wishes, no memorial services will be held. Rather than gathering in formal remembrance, Helen would prefer that family and friends share stories of the good times they spent together and reflect on the memories they created. She hoped those memories would serve as a compass, reminding those she loved of what is truly important in life: integrity, kindness, loyalty, independence, and the relationships that give life its greatest meaning.
Helen's strength, compassion, independence, and love for those around her leaves a lasting legacy. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.