Helen Roberta Parish

Helen Roberta Parish, age 84, received her wings and departed this life to start her new journey on Sunday, October 10, 2021, at her home in Derby. Visitation 1-8 pm Thursday, October 14, with family greeting friends 5-7pm, Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd., Derby. A celebration of her life will be held 11 am Friday, October 15, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N. Webb Road, Wichita. Helen was born February 23, 1937 at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, to Robert Morrison Smith and Mildred Marguerite (Larimer) Smith. She was a lifetime Derby resident. Helen Smith and Verdou Parish were united in marriage on December 29, 1956. To this union were born three children; Eric, Rene and Cherie. Helen’s love of the arts, music and nature were reflected in the organizations she was involved with. She was active in Eastminster Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder and a member of the Choir. Helen was a member of PEO, interested the Nature Conservancy, Kansas Wildlife and Parks, the Kansas Land Trust and Wild Care, an organization that cares for and rehabilitates injured wildlife. Helen’s concern for the people around her was obvious. She was constantly sending cards and letters, oftentimes with clippings from an article she had read. Her faith was very close to her heart. Her love of the scriptures and her love of poetry with spiritual connotations were always an inspiration to her. Helen is preceded in death by her daughter, Cherie McCormick and her parents, Robert and Mildred Smith. She is survived by her husband Verdou; son, Eric, and his wife, Heidi; daughter, Rene Burrow and her husband, Tim; son-in-law, Darrell McCormick; grandchildren, Meghan Burrow, Ian Burrow and wife Alexis, Claire-Rene McCormick, Ethan McCormick, Adam Parish and Luke Parish. Honoring Helen’s love of literature, a memorial has been established with the Derby Public Library, 1600 E. Walnut Grove Rd, Derby, KS. HELEN PARISH, A LIFE WELL LIVED IN CHRIST, SHE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE.