Leida C. Helm passed away peacefully on March 3, 2021, at the age of 92 years. Leida was born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico on July 16, 1928, the youngest of 10 children. Leida grew up and attended school in her hometown and graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in May of 1949 at the age of 20 and accepted into the University of Puerto Rico Medical School. During the summer of 1949, she met the love of her life, Raymond Helm, and her plans for attending medical school changed. Leida did social work until she and Raymond married on July 25, 1951, in the Chapel at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. Raymond and Leida lived in San Sebastian until December 1951, when Raymond's tour of duty in the USAF was completed.
After a few years in Grand Prairie and Ft. Worth, Raymond and Leida made College Station and Texas A&M University home until 1967, when they moved to San Marcos. A brief return to A&M in 1968, then back to San Marcos in 1970 until today. While Raymond taught at Southwest Texas State University, Leida returned to school to pursue post-graduate studies and discovered her love of teaching elementary school. Leida retired from teaching in 1995, and together they enjoyed time with their children and grandchildren. They enjoyed many years attending the First Baptist Church, but in recent years, they were committed to Bible study at home.
Leida was preceded in death by her parents, Francisco Aldahondo and Santia Aldahondo Rivera, and her eldest son, Raymond Helm, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dr. Raymond Helm, son Steve Helm (Donna) from Buda, daughters Cheryl Zouzalik Aycock (Brent) from Lubbock, and Debbie Austin (Ros Hill) of San Marcos. Grandchildren Ray Helm III, Tamara Ellison (Brian), Wade Helm, Nocona Koenig (Darin), Steve, Jr. (Rose), Shane (Stephanie), Ashleigh Zouzalik (fiancé Austin Munsch), Austin Zouzalik, Caleigh Waters (Landon), Corie Merchant (Trey), Carsey Aycock (fiancé Aaron Cullen), and Victoria Hargroder. Great-grandchildren Chloe & Connor Helm, Dylan, Zachary & Emily Ellison, Dalton, Brighton & Madie Koenig, Savannah, Sydney & Stratton Helm, Caleb Helm, Britton, Madden & Sutton Merchant, Hudson, Emerson & Olivia Waters, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins in Puerto Rico, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, and Florida.
Visitation will take place Tuesday, March 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Thomason Funeral Home in San Marcos, with services starting at 3 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home. For more information and to sign the online registry, please visit thomasonfuneralhome.com.
