Helen Largent

November 25, 1925 - December 29, 2020 Resident of Los Altos

Helen Mae (Madson) Largent is now reunited forever with her high school sweetheart, Francis Dean Largent (also known as Fran and Frank D. Largent). After meeting in the marching band, in which Fran played the trumpet and Helen the saxophone, they were married in 1945 at age 19 and enjoyed 62 years together. Helen Mae Madson was born on Nov. 29, 1925, in Great Falls, Montana, to Notto Clarence Madson and Emma Janetta (Hovden) Madson. Her heritage was Norwegian. Helen is survived by her children, Lynda Lee (Paul) Diaz, Laurel Ann Largent, Marc Dana (Bonnie) Largent, and Marcia Sue Largent (Steven) Corcoran; five grandchildren, David Andrew (Angie) Diaz, Shaun Paul Diaz, Ashley Rose Diaz, Logan John Largent, and Cooper Luke Largent; and two great-grandchildren, Andrew Theodore Diaz and Mila Marguerite Diaz. Helen graduated from Compton Junior College in 1945 and received a Bachelor’s Degree and California Teaching Credential from Pepperdine College in 1947. She taught elementary school in Lynwood, Arcadia, and El Monte, California, from 1948-1957, while she and Fran built a house on a hill in an avocado grove in Monrovia in 1950. She helped to support Fran while he completed his doctoral degree in Education at Stanford University from 1956-1959, then lived in Carmichael for ten years, becoming active in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The family enjoyed bicycling, taking turns being captain of the tandem; waterskiing on Folsom Lake; camping in their house trailer, and singing together. Helen loved nature— the redwoods, wildflowers, plants, animals—as she said they gave her a sense of harmony with the universe. After moving to La Jolla (1969-1977), Helen started a book shop and managed the family’s rental properties. While living in Newport Beach (1978-2006), Helen worked with graduate students at Pepperdine University. After they both retired, in 1986, Helen and Fran traveled extensively, and Helen kept detailed travel journals of the places they visited and people they met. As she did, Helen encouraged her family to explore and to experience life in all its wonders. Helen has lived in Los Altos since 2012 where she moved to be near her daughters Laurel and Marcia. Helen will be missed by all of us and remembered for her courageous and positive nature. Helen practiced Christian morals in word and deed, and she lived her life full of gratitude. Helen’s final resting place is next to Fran at Pacific View Memorial Park, 2500 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, California. There will be no services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Parkinson’s Foundation, at Parkinson. org. The community is invited to share a note with the family by posting it on Legacy.com.