Helen Farrell

Written by Sue Brown

If you want to live longer and be healthier, take Helen Farrell’s advice and fill your days with volunteering. Helen is the Retired Senior Volunteer Program’s (RSVP) oldest volunteer in chronological age and years of service. Age ninety six this March she is starting into her 35th year with RSVP. Helen is proud of her folder full of certificates and awards from all the organizations where she has put her energies throughout a lifetime. It includes a State resolution commending 30 years of volunteerism from Senator Deborah Ortiz.

Born in Spokane, Washington, Helen went to San Francisco in 1927 with her mother, where she attended school. Married in 1931, she was later forced to raise her son and daughter alone. However, she worked many different jobs and eventually retired from the State in Sacramento after almost 20 years. Today Helen has 3 grand children and 6 great grand children.

Helen has given her talents to KVIE and Interfaith Service Bureau’s Brown Bag program, among others. Presently she works in RSVP’s office and on mailings for the Tree Foundation and Multiple Sclerosis Society. She is known as the “Flower Lady” because she brings fresh flowers from her garden to brighten the places where she works. For 32 years Harvest Time Senior Activities Center in North Highlands has been her outlet for physical exercise and crafts.

Living in a senior complex in Natomas, Helen prepares her own meals, swims, uses the hot tub, plays Bingo and does an exercise tape for seniors. Having survived cancer Helen says, “The Lord keeps me going. I’ve been a Christian since I was 10 years old and attend Hope Community Church, participating in 2 Bible studies.” Her children gave her a cell phone and computer on which Helen has put her life story into a book. Her philosophy of life is to keep busy and do things. “Sometimes I feel bad and would rather stay in bed, but I get up and forget all about it. If you're helping others you don’t have time to worry about yourself.”

Everyone can take a dose of Helen’s “help others to help yourself” medicine. It’ll improve your mental health, physical health and self esteem. What a great prescription for life!