Helen Sykes' Obituary
Helen Sykes
1949 - 2019
Beloved Sister, Mother, and Grami, Helen M. Sykes, age 71 of Everett, WA passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 29, 2019.
Helen was born in Provo, Utah on November 22, 1947. She graduated from Orem High school in 1966 and then attended Brigham Young University. While in high school, she was very active in many different activities and her favorite subject was science. She won 1st place at her schools science fair. She even won a certificate for a pantomime contest. She also loved tennis and won many tournaments. She married George Albert Gentry in the Salt Lake Temple on Feb. 14, 1968. She later married Wesley George Sykes on October 11, 1975.
Mom had many talents. She was an excellent interior designer and seamstress. She loved to sew clothing for her children and grandchildren. She would sew beautiful dresses and matching outfits for her granddaughters. Mom always had a beautiful yard with many of her favorite flowers including roses, snapdragons, and petunias. She had one very large blue spruce pine tree that was a special gift from her husband, Wes. She won “Most Beautiful Yard of the Year” 2 years in a row. She had many interests that included reading, building puzzles, playing Farkle and card games. She was always extremely lucky at winning games! She also loved camping and going on picnics. Helen was a very generous and loving lady. She would often give whatever she could to those in need, even if it meant she would do without. Her generosity didn’t end with those around her. She was known to take in stray animals and if she didn’t decide to keep them herself, she could easily convince neighbors or friends to take them in.
Helen is survived by: 2 brothers, Wayne Maag of Portland, OR and Paul Maag of Laverkin, UT; her sister Kathy (Kim) Hilden of Orem, UT. She is also survived by her children: Scott (Brenda) Gentry of Eagle Mountain, UT; Shelley (Eric) Karn of Bremerton, WA; Geoff (Tonja) Gentry of Saratoga Springs, UT; and Heidi (Shawn) Wendt of Mukilteo, WA. She has 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; Harold Henry Maag and Velma Bigelow Maag, and her husband, Wesley George Sykes.
Helen will be laid to rest with her husband at a graveside service in the Orem City Cemetery 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 11, 2019.
Mom, we love you and will miss you until we meet again.
What’s your fondest memory of Helen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Helen?
Share a story where Helen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Helen you’ll never forget.
How did Helen make you smile?