Helen Tellyer
March 7, 1935 - September 20, 2026
Helen Marie Tellyer passed away peacefully following a short illness.
Born Helen Robinson to Russell Louis Robinson and Gertrude Agnes Fitzgerald in 1935. She and her sister, Marjorie (Prescott), born during the Great Depression, beginning a life that would be filled with family, friendships, work, and the many passions she carried throughout her years.
In 1953, Helen married David Robert Campbell, and together they had three children: Richard (Rick) Louis, born in 1953 (married to Kathy Tellyer); Donald (Don) Robert, born in 1955, who passed away in 2004; and Katherine (Sky), born in 1957. Following the tragic accident that took David’s life, Helen married Gerald (Jerry) Robert Tellyer in 1960. Together they welcomed their daughter, Valerie Gayle Tellyer, in 1962 (married to Richard Wilkins).
Helen began her working life as a legal secretary before embarking on a long and cherished career with the Stockton Police Department. Hired as a dispatcher in 1979, she dedicated 22 years to the department before retiring in 2001. Not quite ready to completely retire, Helen continued working part-time for another nine years, gathering 911 recordings for use by the legal system.
A constant throughout Helen’s life was her love of reading and cross-stitching. She was an avid reader, with a particular fondness for mysteries and thrillers. She devoured multiple novels each month and went through several Kindles over the years. When she wasn’t reading, she was often cross-stitching, and few things made her happier than hosting stitching sessions with her many friends.
Bowling also kept Helen active for many years. She belonged to several leagues, depending on whether she was working days or nights at the Stockton Police Department. Although she never bowled a perfect 300 game, her exceptional skill earned her a place in the Les Dames 700 Bowling Club.
During retirement, Helen discovered a new passion: quilting. She became a longtime member of the Tuleburg Quilt Guild, spending 25 years creating quilt after quilt. Through quilting, she found another wonderful circle of friends who became deeply cherished and meant the world to her.
Above all, Helen treasured her family and the many friendships she built throughout her life. She leaves behind her four children, Richard, Sky, and Valerie, as well as the memory of her son Donald, and her grandchildren Isaiah, Tracy, Chris, Steve, David, and Sam. Her legacy continues through her 13 great-grandchildren, who are scattered across Hawaii, California, Utah, and Massachusetts.
Helen will be remembered by many.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Vineyard Chapel, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Tellyer family.
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