Helen Kircher

Helen Kircher was born on August 29, 1934 in Portland Oregon. She passed away on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 after a sudden decline in her health. Helen was 89 years of age.

Helen is survived by her loving children Joan, Anne, James, Philip and Cheyenne; grandchildren, Eric, Bonnie, Emily, John, Nathan, and Tanner; great-grandchildren, Anna, Emma, Michael, and Char as well as many loyal friends and extended family members. Helen was predeceased by her parents, Dwight and Irene, sisters, Irene and Joan and husband, John.

Ironically, Easter Sunday was Helen's favorite holiday of the year. Out of all the family events she graciously and meticulously hosted, Easter was her most favored holiday. Helen's wit, humor and life of the party demeanor are cherished and legendary.

Born and raised in Portland Oregon and transplanted to New Mexico in 1963, she came to love the "dry and dead desert" she initially described as she surveyed New Mexico on a flight to her new home. She was a very fun mother who provided her family with innumerable good times and was always planning picnics, hosting parties and shuttling kids to events in her VW Bug. Later in life she was well known for her bandying about town in her red Miata convertible. When she was not traveling on the highways and byways, Helen made many lifelong friendships serving on the Women's Guild at Our Lady of Annunciation parish, volunteering at the Presbyterian Day Surgery unit, Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau and socializing at the Hofbrau Lounge, German American club, Roadrunner Miata Club of New Mexico and other social venues. The recent reboot of the Hofbrau's Breakfast Club at the Horse and Angel Tavern brought her much joy. Helen loved to travel and visited many foreign and domestic destinations, making new friends, while having the best times of her life. On one notable adventure, she called from Jackson, Wyoming stating that she decided to "take a little solo road trip" that covered 8 states. Since her Scottish financial tenets prohibited her from paying the $20.00 Yellowstone Park admission fee, a family member reserved a room for the night that included the park admission fee. Needless to say, she enjoyed the park immensely. She loved classic rock and roll music. For her 63rd birthday she attended the 1997 Rolling Stones concert in Albuquerque, she was interviewed by the Albuquerque Tribune about her experience, stating that "I'm crazy about the Stones and I love the music".

Helen's friendship and love will be eternally cherished and deeply missed by all her friends and family. She was passionately proud of her Irish heritage and citizenship. She held dear, the Irish Blessing: "May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand".

Helen will be remembered for her wild hare lifestyle, her wild laugh and her fervor for life and all its opportunity. We love you, Helen.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers and staff at Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque, Life Spire and Nevaeh Hospice for their compassionate and loving care during this time.

Please say a prayer and lift a Glass on high in Helen's honor.

Memorial services will be held on April 24, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at, Our Lady of Annunciation Parish 2621 Vermont Street, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.