Our beloved Grandma Helen is the heartbeat of our family and the guiding spirit of these flourishing gardens. She dedicates countless hours weaving her love and care into the fabric of this park, especially around her favorite roses. Her commitment transcends mere gardening; she's transformed this area into a realm of beauty and tranquility for us all. Through her, we've learned the importance of pausing to admire the roses and embracing the beauty of nature's simple gifts.

To honor her profound impact and passion for the gardens, we're dedicating a bench in her name right here among the blooms she cherishes. This bench will not only offer a place of rest and reflection for visitors but will stand as a lasting tribute to her legacy of love, dedication, and the joy she finds in nature. It's our way of embedding her essence in the very place that speaks volumes of her contribution to our community, ensuring her spirit and teachings continue to inspire and touch lives, just as the gardens she so lovingly tends to.

Over the next few pages, her family wanted to share the life story of a woman, mother, and grandmother who has made a fantastic impact on all of the lives that she has touched.

Daughter to Eugene and Edna Simmons, Helen was born and raised in Arlington, Virginia, where she lived most of her life.

She is pictured here with her mother, Edna, at her childhood home in 1938.

In Crestview, Helen Simmons's story began as a daughter to Eugene and Edna amidst a bustling household with three siblings. Helen's childhood was rich with experiences that knit the family close, from spontaneous trips to the local lake on hot summer days to spirited Fourth of July celebrations, surrounded by her brother, Arnold, and sister, Shirley. These moments weren’t just about fun; they were lessons in unity, joy, and the importance of family bonds.

Helen grew up in a modest home where generosity was a way of life, a value instilled by her parents. She learned to cherish what she had and to share generously, often giving her best to her sister and contributing to local charities, especially those aiding veterans. This spirit of giving, rooted in her upbringing in Crestview, has stayed with Helen, guiding her as she pours love into the community gardens, inspiring those around her with her dedication to beauty, nature, and the lessons of her youth.

Helen was just 17 when she bumped into Stuart Quincy Smith, and it didn't take long for the sparks to fly. They quickly became the talk of Crestview High as the sweethearts who seemed inseparable. Their love was the kind you'd read about in a storybook, full of laughter, shared dreams, and an unmistakable bond. It wasn't just their hobbies that aligned; their hearts did too, especially when it came to their love for the outdoors. One of their earliest dates was a simple yet magical afternoon spent walking among the blooming roses in Crestview Park's gardens, a memory that would become a cornerstone of their relationship.

By 1956, Helen and Stuart made their love official, tying the knot in a ceremony that felt like it was lifted from the pages of a fairy tale. They've built a life together on the foundation of that love, weaving their passion for nature and gardening into the fabric of their journey. Their shared joy in these simple pleasures has not only kept their bond strong but also nurtured a space of beauty and tranquility in their community. Through decades of companionship, Stuart has been Helen's rock, standing by her side with unwavering faithfulness, proving that some loves are truly meant to last.

Helen and Stu's world transformed overnight on March 6, 1959, when they welcomed not one but two bundles of joy into their lives. Timmy and Sophia, the twins, arrived, doubling their happiness and, of course, the chaos. The house that once knew the quiet footsteps of two now echoed with the laughter, cries, and endless energy of four. Helen and Stu quickly learned the art of juggling parenting duties, from late-night feedings to soothing one child while entertaining the other. Despite the sleepless nights and the never-ending cycle of diaper changes, the joy in their hearts was unmistakable. Each new day brought its own adventures, challenges, and a deeper love for their growing family. As the twins grew, so did the garden under Helen and Stu's tender care, mirroring the nurturing and growth happening inside their home. The garden became a playground for imagination and learning for Timmy and Sophia, instilling in them a love for nature that Helen and Stu cherished deeply. The chaos of raising twins was matched only by the laughter and life they brought into Helen and Stu's lives, making every moment, no matter how hectic, entirely worth it. Through it all, Helen and Stu stood together, their bond strengthened by their shared journey into parenthood, and their love for their children as endless as their cherished garden.

Helen always had a big heart for Crestview, putting her time and energy into helping around town whenever possible. She and Stuart were always up to something, whether it was throwing together a fundraiser, setting up for local events, or lending a hand wherever needed. For Helen, it was more than volunteering; it was her way of saying thank you to a community that meant the world to her and her family. She wanted to make sure Timmy and Sophia understood the importance of giving back, so they learned by doing right there with them from the start. Whether cleaning up the local park or helping stack shelves at the food bank, it became a family affair, showing them the value of pitching in and helping out.

Timmy looks back at those times and says, “Mom and Dad really showed us what it meant to be part of a community. We didn’t just talk about helping out; we were always in the middle of it, doing whatever was needed. Mom used to say, ‘This is how we grow together by giving back.’ And she was spot on. Those days didn’t just teach us about helping others; they brought us closer as a family.”

Helen and Stuart baked this idea of chipping in and doing their part for the community into the fabric of their family, teaching their kids not just to be good people but also the joy and unity that comes from working together for something bigger.

Grandma Helen's chocolate chip cookies are like a hug in every bite. There's something about them that just tastes like home, maybe it's her secret ingredient or just the way she bakes them with so much love.

At every family get-together, we look forward to that familiar smell wafting through the house, signaling that a batch of Grandma's famous cookies is ready. It's not just us, though; she's made it a tradition to welcome anyone new to the neighborhood with a plate of these cookies, spreading that warmth and making sure everyone feels at home.

Sophia once said, "Mom's cookies have this way of making any place feel like home. I remember watching her in the kitchen, how she'd mix everything with such care and then share them with neighbors, teaching us that little acts of kindness can mean so much. Those cookies are more than just a treat; they're a reminder of Mom's love and the way she looks after everyone around her."

Sharing Grandma Helen's recipe here feels like we're passing on a piece of that warmth and kindness to you.

Seeing Sophia and Tim graduate from college was a big deal for Helen. It was like all those years of hard work, all the times she encouraged them to hit the books and dream big, all came together in one amazing moment. She was so proud, you could tell. Every time she talked about their graduation, her eyes would light up. It was a big win for them, sure, but it felt like a win for her too, like all her support and pushing them to do their best had really paid off.

"Sophia and Tim always said I was their number one fan," Helen would share, laughing and shaking her head in disbelief. "But really, watching them up there, getting their diplomas, was one of the happiest days of my life."

It was more than just them finishing school; it was about them stepping into the next big chapter of their lives, ready to take on the world. Helen was over the moon, bursting with pride. For her, it wasn’t just their achievement; it was a reminder that all those years of being there for them, in every way, had truly meant something.

When Baby Jack arrived, it was like a whole new chapter started for Helen and Stu. Suddenly, they were grandparents, and before they knew it, Jack was just the first of five grandkids who would bring a new kind of joy into their lives. Helen would often say that being a grandma was the best thing ever. She loved every minute with those kids, saying they made her feel young again. You could see it too—whether she was chasing them around the yard, baking those famous chocolate chip cookies together, or just cuddled up with a storybook, Helen was in her element, full of life and laughter.

Stu once mentioned, "I haven't seen Helen this happy in years. Those grandkids light up her world in a way that's just beautiful to watch."

It was true. Every visit, every phone call, every photo or drawing they sent her way, you could see how much it meant to Helen. And it wasn't just about spoiling them rotten, which she definitely did, but about passing on bits of wisdom, sharing stories from her own life, and just soaking up all that love. For Helen, these moments with her grandkids weren't just fun and games; they were precious memories in the making, a way to feel connected and vital, and a reminder of the wonderful cycle of life.

Ever since I can remember, Grandma Helen has been all about helping others, especially when it came to feeding those who needed it most. She turned her love for cooking into something amazing by volunteering at the local food bank. It wasn't just about the meals, though they were always delicious and made with a lot of love. For Grandma, it was also about the people she met along the way, turning volunteers and those they helped into friends. She's been doing it for years, and it's like she's found her calling, making sure no one in our community goes hungry if she can help it.

And it didn’t stop with just her. Inspired by Grandma Helen, serving the hungry became a family affair. It’s kind of our thing now. We've all seen how much she supports organizations like Feeding America, and her passion kind of rubbed off on us.

"Seeing your grandma put her heart into helping others, it changes you," Dad would say. And he’s right. Whether it's helping out at the food bank, organizing food drives, or just making sure we understand the importance of giving back, we've learned from the best. Grandma Helen showed us that it’s not just about the food; it’s about showing up for your community and making a difference where you can. It's pretty cool to think that, in our own way, we’re carrying on her legacy of kindness and generosity.

Grandma Helen has this way of making everyone feel special, whether you're family or just met her. She's been a rock for all of us, a wife to Grandpa Stu, who's all about love and support, a mom who's always there, no matter what, and a grandma whose hugs and cookies can make any bad day better. Plus, she's that friend who'll sit with you, listen, and make you feel like everything's going to be okay.

Her kindness has touched so many lives, and it's clear she's left a mark that'll last way beyond her years. It's like she's woven a bit of herself into the fabric of our family and the community.

Talking about her life one day, Grandma Helen said, "If I've brought a little joy, a bit of comfort, and a lot of love into the lives around me, then I've lived my life just right." That's so her, always thinking about others and how she can make their day a bit brighter.

Her legacy? It's not just in the things she's done but in how she makes people feel — loved, valued, and never alone. That’s something that'll keep going strong, generation after generation, long after we're all gone. Grandma Helen, without a doubt, has shown us the kind of life worth striving for, one filled with love, kindness, and a whole lot of giving back