Press Enterprise <www.pe.com> 7 Mar 2009 HELEN YATES ATWOOD Born March 31, 1922, in Herrin, Illinois, passed away in Banning California on February 19, 2009 surrounded by her family. She has now gone to join her husband, Robert, grandson Shane DeLeon, and all her brothers and sisters. Helen Yates, one of 11 children, married her high school sweetheart Robert Atwood in 1939. When World War II broke out, Robert joined the United States Marine Corps and he and Helen traveled the world with their four children. Retiring after 30 years, Robert and Helen moved to Banning, California, where they lived happily together until Robert's passing in 1977. Helen was highly regarded for her creativity, kindness, generosity, and dedication to her family. In addition to being a loving wife, Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose spirit and example of strength will be greatly missed by each and everyone who knew her. One of Helen's favorite sayings was "if I cannot do great things, I will do small things in a great way." Helen is survived by her children, Robert Atwood Jr. and wife Jackie, Penny Atwood, Pamela DeLeon and husband Gary, Kent Atwood and wife Vilma, four grandchildren, Sean, Kelsey, Robert, Juan, and two great-grandchildren, Michael and Melina. Services and internment are private ARLINGTON MORTUARY DIRECTORS 1-800-275-4648