Helen Frances Naumann

Helen passed on June 17, 2023 at the age of 90. A descendent of Danish immigrants, she was born November 22, 1932, in Dixon, California to Hazel Dolfer & James Jensen. She spent her early childhood, with older brother Martin, on the family dairy in Dixon. The family relocated to Oakland, California following the loss of their dairy herd to disease. There, younger siblings Carol & Gordon joined the family. Helen attended Fremont High School. In November, 1949, Helen married William (Bill) Naumann the true love of her life. Continuing their life in the Oakland hills, Helen & Bill had three children, Beverly, James & Eric, spending summers in a cabin on a tributary of the Russian River in Cazadero. In 1962, the family relocated to Sonoma County for a more rural lifestyle. In 1968, Bill’s work in retail relocated the family to Santa Barbara where younger siblings Renee & Julie joined the family. Helen became a foster mother with Children’s Home Society, caring for infants during their transition from the hospital to their adoptive homes. She reentered school and completed her nursing degree, practicing nursing with St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara in labor & delivery until her retirement. In retirement, Helen & Bill traveled the world, went on long bicycle excursions, & spent summers with grandchildren & friends camping on the Russian river. Helen had always been creative & enthusiastic in all her endeavors. She was an excellent seamstress, upholstered furniture & helped remodel their homes. Stained glass became her passion, creating beautiful works of art for family & friends. One of her stained glass windows is in the Maritime Museum in Santa Barbara. Very nurturing, social & loving, she made herself available to friends and family for help and support. She taught her grandchildren to swim. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by Bill, her husband of 71 years, brother, Martin & sister, Carol. She is survived by her brother, Gordon, her five children: Beverly, James, Eric, Renee & Julie. Thirteen grandchildren: David, Benjamin, Sara, Garrett, Paul, Danielle, Christy, Marli, Anthony, Ashley, Raphael, Faith & Lindsey. Nine great-grandchildren: Emma, Audrey, Maya, Hannah, Kaeden, Cavan, Daniel, Brynlee, Dominic & niece Heidi. A memorial for both Helen & Bill is being planned.