CATHY ASHMORE HELM
12/29/1942 - 08/13/2022
Cathy was a precious, loving, kind, fun, and fabulous soul who was deeply devoted to her faith, family, and friends. She touched the lives of many. Cathy was born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1942 to parents Earline Long and Robert Earl Ashmore, who soon after moved to Paris, Texas, where she was raised. Cathy attended Paris High school, where she marched as a majorette and won the doubles Texas State Championship in Tennis her Senior year in 1961. She went to North Texas State University to study English, where she was elected cheerleader and was a member of Chi Omega. Cathy spent most of her life living in Houston, Texas.
Cathy was a member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, where she was active with the Circle of Friends, volunteering weekly, where every Christmas she would play Mrs. Claus. Cathy was a longtime member of The Houston Junior Forum. In their early years, she loved dancing in their Showtime performances. She was active with The Women’s Institute Luncheon Series, HJF Book Club and Revista Book Club, Ladies Who Lunch Club, and Chi Omega Alumni Group. She loved volunteering at Amazing Place and the HJF Recreation for Older Adults.
Cathy was proud of the years she spent planning events and working for The University of Texas Health Science Center Development Office, and the many years she worked in Commercial Real Estate as an administrator for Wheless Properties.
Cathy was an athlete who loved tennis, hiking, and spending time in nature. For many years she spent the summers with her husband in their home in Estes Park, Colorado hiking and entertaining family and friends.
Cathy loved the symphony, opera, and musical theater, always hoping to catch a performance. She was a member of The Houston Museum of Fine Arts and loved visiting The Houston Museum of Natural Science and The Houston Zoo with her grandchildren or any child she could coax into joining her.
Cathy remained very close to her Paris, Texas, childhood girlfriends, who had an annual get-together for many years. Cathy was devoted to her first cousin Sandra Ashmore Gabel; they grew up together and were more like sisters than cousins. She met her best friend, Lynn Guggolz Gissel, in 1970 when she crashed a New Year’s Party at Lynn’s house. She met Mopsy Andrews at Chapelwood. Cathy, Mopsy, and Lynn have been very close and celebrated their birthdays together for many years. She always spoke highly of her lifelong friendships.
Cathy had so much love and appreciation for her extended family, her wonderful cousins, nieces, and nephews. She left behind so many dear friendships and adored all the connections she made in her lifetime. Cathy never met a stranger and always took the chance on making a new friend.
Cathy’s husband, Reagan Cartwright Helm, preceded her in death in August 2020. She took wonderful care of him for many years as his health declined with dementia. She found great comfort in her FTD and grief support groups. With the love of her many caregivers and her dear friend Julien Rosenthal, she was provided excellent advice and support.
Cathy is survived by her two daughters Amy Kathryn Bergh with her husband Jim Bergh, Carrie Elizabeth Hard, with her children, grandson Corbin Lyle Kimler and granddaughter Ruby Lane Kimler, Carrie’s partner Jason Lawson and his son Rowan Blaze Lawson. She is also survived by the father of her children, James H. Hard Jr., whom she remained friends with until her death.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, September 12, 2022, at 10:00 AM in the Sanctuary of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, Texas.
Cathy’s wish was that memorial tributes be sent to the following:
Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay St., Houston, Texas 77024 – Circle of Friends
Alzheimer’s Support Group, Hope and Healing Center at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056
Houston Junior Forum Endowment, P.O. Box 7941 Houston, Texas 77270-7941