Helen Dabling

Helen Hobson Dabling

10/30/1914 ~ 1/14/2014

Helen Hobson Dabling, 99, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 in the comfort of her home. A long-time educator for the Ogden School District, Helen pursued excellence, enjoyed hard work, and continued a quest for knowledge.

Born on October 30, 1914, in Hoytsville, UT, she was the second of seven children of George Leonard and Gertrude McCormick Hobson. The family moved to Sugar House where she graduated from East High School in 1931 and earned her teaching certificate from University of Utah.

She then returned to the family farm in Hoytsville, where she began her first teaching job with the South Summit School District to help support her family during the Depression. During this time she met George Harvey “ Harv’ ” Dabling, the man she would marry four years later in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, on August 2, 1937. The couple lived in Price, Park City, and Provo. While in Provo, she taught in the Provo School District schools, Maeser and Grandview.

The family then settled in Ogden where Helen continued her teaching career at Hopkins, Lewis, and Wasatch Elementary Schools. She later served as a principal for Quincy and Wasatch Elementary Schools in Ogden.

She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees at Utah State University, and then received her Administrative Endorsement at Brigham Young University.

A member of the LDS Church, she served in various callings, but no calling meant more to her than directing the Ward Activities Committee with her husband. Decades later, people still recall how much fun they had at the activities events, but no one had as much fun as Helen and Harv’ themselves.

She was affiliated with Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators. She served as president for the local and state ADK organizations, as well as province chairman.

Other associations included Phi Delta Kappa, DUP, and AAUW. Civic activities included work in the Lady Lions and the PTA.

Her days were filled with hard work and creative endeavors, whether in her classroom, her garden or other undertakings that improved the beauty of her home and welfare of her family. She especially loved arranging flowers, creating special occasion gatherings, and publishing personal and family histories.

Helen is survived by her three children, Jerrilyn (John) Gardiner, Roberta Dabling, both of Ogden, and George Harvey Dabling Jr., Mesquite, NV; a sister, Virginia H. Hillier, Centerville, UT; five grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Dale and Max of Boise, Glen of Salt Lake City, and Richard of Phoenix, and sister Madelyn H. Bodell of Salt Lake City; and a great-grandson, Matthew Knowles.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends and family may gather to honor Helen’s life on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.