Helen Marie Markham

Phoenix – Helen Marie Markham, 91, passed away peacefully December 14, 2020. Helen was born, along with her twin brother Jack, January 6, 1929 in Miami, Arizona to John and Frances Buckley. The Buckley’s moved to Phoenix and Helen graduated from North High School in Phoenix. After High School, Helen attended St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Helen married George S. Markham and moved with George to South Bend, Indiana while George attended the University of Notre Dame, returning to Phoenix after his graduation.

Helen was a homemaker while raising seven children in Central Phoenix. After George passed away Helen served as the school secretary (nurse, counselor, and bookkeeper) at St. Gregory Catholic School in Phoenix. She loved bowling and playing cards with her group of friends, watching sports on TV with her family, going to the cabin, watching grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their special events, hosting huge holiday parties for the family, and being a Cardinals season ticket holder for several years.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband George Markham, brother Jack Buckley, sister Lorraine Barnett, and granddaughter Jeannette Markham. She is survived by her sister Margaret Mueller and Helen’s 7 children: Sharon Canady (Frank), Mike Markham (Angela), Mary Pat Wood, Brian Markham (Jenny), Kathleen DeVinney (Joe), Tom Markham and Kevin Markham (Corrine). Helen had 18 grandchildren: Kelley, Jennifer, Michael, Heather, Sheri, Eric, Danny, Brent, Carrie, Meghan, Katie, Erin, Michele, Chrissie, Jeannette, George, Casey, and Sophie. She especially loved the babies and had 24 great grandchildren.

Private Family Services will be held Monday, December 21, 2020 at 10:00 AM at St. Gregory Catholic Church.

Due to COVID, the services will be livestreamed and can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyMurphyFH/live/.

Donations can be made to the St. Gregory Catholic School Adopt-A-Student Fund. Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.