Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Helen Van Gundy entered eternal life with her Lord on Jan. 20, 2009.

She was born in Lufkin on March 6, 1916 to Flo and Lee Wier. She grew up in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas.

She married Robert Christian Van Gundy. They moved to San Marcos in 1946, where Bob owned and operated Western Auto. Helen received her Master's degree in English from Texas State University, formerly known as Southwest Texas State College, and taught English at the university for the next eight years.

In 1976 she became an early member of the Heritage Association and served in many capacities. She was president of the organization and was instrumental in the restoration of the Charles S. Cock House. She was commissioned to buy antique furnishings for the house.

As an active member of the cemetery commission, Helen was determined to have the chapel restored and the cemetery landscaped and made beautiful. In 1993 the chapel received a historical marker. Helen then began raising funds to landscape the area around the chapel.

Helen was an active member of several civic and literary clubs, such as, Junior Sorosis, Breckenridge and Mountain Laurel Garden. She also received awards recognizing her as an outstanding citizen in San Marcos and Hays County for her involvement in the preservation and beautification of historical landmarks.

She was also a member of DAR, MAGNA CARTA, Colonial Dames XVII Century and the Hugenot Society.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Van Gundy. She is survived by her daughters Flo Wilks and Harriett Raney (Doug); five grandchildren, Courtney Hart, Chris Wilks (Carrie), Cynthia Glinski (Rob), Jennifer Curren (Dave) and Lee Raney (Kelly) and 12 great-grandchildren.

Family will receive friends at Pennington Funeral Home today from 5 to 7 p.m.

Celebration of life services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23 at The Chapel at the San Marcos Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Hinojosa, Gene Bagwell, Ed Boney, Ernie Murray, Dave Curren, Lee Raney, Chris Wilks, Rob Glinski, Joe Cimino, Jake Sullivan and Howard Tidwell.

In lieu of flowers you may send a donation to the First Christian Church of San Marcos or The Friends of the Cemetery.

Arrangements Pennington Funeral Home, 323 N. Comanche, San Marcos, 353-4311.