McChesney-Cleland, Helen Marie

Helen Marie McChesney-Cleland - age: 92
(April 26, 1920 to April 06, 2013 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Helen Marie (Makloski) McChesney-Cleland
Age 92 went to be with the Lord April 6, 2013 at her home in Ukiah surrounded by her 5 children and numerous grandchildren. She had been a resident of Ukiah for 65 years. Helen was born April 26, 1920 in Trinidad, Colorado to Charles George and Elizabeth Suzanna Makloski. She grew up in Trinidad and attended and graduated Trinidad State Junior College (where she met her future husband) and Saint Luke’s Nursing School in Denver, CO. On Oct 5, 1942, soon after taking her State Boards, Helen married Arthur Clay McChesney III, who was in his third year of Veterinary School at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Shortly after beginning her nursing career she resigned to give birth to her 1st child Arthur Clay IV. The Army Veterinary Corp moved Arthur and Helen to Opelousas, LA where her 2nd Child Janice Allene was born. Early summer of 1947 the family packed their bags for Petaluma, CA where Arthur went into Veterinary practice with his brother John and her third child Richard Donald was born. On July 4, 1948 they made their final move to Ukiah calling it “a nice valley that grows pears and grapes”, just adjacent to another small valley called “Potter Valley” that contained many dairies. It was in these two valleys and a radius of 80 miles that Arthur developed his veterinary practice working with both large and small animals. They built a small animal hospital adjacent to their home on six acres outside the city limits where 101 and Talmage Rd now intersect. There two more children arrived, Carol Sue and Linda Ann (who was born 11 years to the date of her oldest brother’s birthday). Helen took care of the office and used her nursing education to help Arthur care for the animals. Because of the new freeway, in 1963 they built a new home & animal hospital on State Street where Helen lived the rest of her days. In 1970 Helen’s Husband sold his practice. The following 10 years they traveled doing “relief practice” for veterinarians who wanted to take a vacation. For many years Helen and Art traveled in their trailer with family and friends to Mexico, Baja and once around the US. Helen enjoyed a clean home, she would even be found raking and sweeping the beaches while vacationing in Mexico. Every year they would travel to Colorado to visit family and friends. In 1993, a few months after celebrating their Golden 50th anniversary, Arthur died. In 2002 Helen married William Hershel Cleland. Helen and Bill traveled and enjoyed reminiscing about their families, friends and life in Ukiah, until his death in 2010.
Helen was most proud of raising 5 children, earning her Registered Nurse Degree, working alongside her husband Arthur building Ukiah Veterinary Hospital business, being an accomplished dog groomer for many years at the Vet hospital, teaching her children a good work ethic, earning her private pilot license in 1966 and being an AWANA Club leader at both Redwood Valley Community Church and First Baptist Church. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, attending Bible study groups, visiting with good friends, playing the organ and being a member of her organ club, gardening and making Christmas wreaths for the Ukiah Garden Club Christmas bizarres. Helen was a charter member and former president of the Ukiah Soroptimist Club where she used the slogan “A ‘Nurse’ who has gone to the dogs”.
Helen will always be remembered for her determination, independence and hardworking ethic. Daughter Linda remembers growing up when asked to do something she did want to do, she would tell her mother “Mom, I don’t know how to do that”, in hopes of not having to do the task. Helen’s reply would always be “Well, it’s about time you learn.” never taking “no” for an answer. She was generous to her family, friends, church and others she felt were in need. She will be especially remembered for her love for her family. Always full of energy, never stopped until the job was done completely. She could outwork most that were half her age. She enjoyed friends of all ages and walks of life.
Helen was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and a member of 1st Baptist Church of Ukiah since 1948. God has been good to Helen and she is survived by 5 Children, 17 Grandchildren, 20 GGchildren, 1 GGG child, & 1 Step-son.
Children/ Arthur Clay McChesney IV & Rosemary of Ukiah/ Janice Allene Sutherland of Red Bluff/ Richard Donald McChesney & Sandy of Lincoln/ Carol Sue Bartley & John of Novato/ Linda Ann Pedersen & Randy of Ukiah/ Step-son Rick Cleland & Joyce of Ukiah// Grandchildren/ Arthur Clay McChesney V & wife Brenda of Red Bluff/ Tyler Clay (& Anna Orozco), Chalese, Charlston “CC” & Makenzie McChesney all of Ukiah/ Leslie Shank & Stacy of Red Bluff , Kathy Burris & Casey of Ukiah/ Dena Mobley & Mark, Heather Petersen & Eric, all of Ukiah, and Gregg McChesney & Megan of Lincoln/ Jack & Natalie Bartley of Novato/Maria, Jonathan & IvaJo(Otto) ,Mark, Lukas & Rebekah “Becky” Pedersen/ Travis & Shelby Cleland all of Ukiah//Great-Grandchildren/ Arthur Clay VI, Tyler, Amanda of Red Bluff/Jarrod (& Jessica Ortz), Alyssa, Leslie & Jordon Shank all of Red Bluff/Chauncey Mills, Andrew, Lucy & Kaden Burris all of Ukiah/Max, Ella & Kate McChesney of Lincoln/Tyson & Taryn Mobley of Ukiah/Calin Schueler, Gianna & Gabriella Petersen/Tovyah Pedersen all of Ukiah//GGgrandchild/Kaysen Shank
Services will be
Thursday, April 18, 2013
@ 1:30
1st Baptist Church of Ukiah, CA. Luncheon following services @ Church. Mike Dobbs & Rick Oliver Officiating. Donations maybe made to: 1st Baptist Church Building Fund & Phoenix Hospice of Willits. Arrangements by Eversole Mortuary.