Our mother, Mary Helen Daniel, known as Helen, sadly passed away to her heavenly home on October 20th at JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, California. She was the first born to a family of seven in Blythe, California on April 28th, 1942 to her mother, Mary Gallardo and father, Jose Gallardo.

Our mom was a devout Catholic whose faith and strength helped her through difficult times. She relied on both when she lost her son unexpectedly, our brother Tommy, at the young age of 29. She was a wonderful Wife, Mother, Friend, and Sister. Her family, next to her faith, were the most important things to her. If any of us needed her she would do whatever she needed to help us. She made sure that every child and grandchild earned their sacraments through the Catholic Church as that was a priority for her. She loved spending time with all her family and being surrounded by her grandkids. She loved making cookies and cupcakes for every holiday for the grandkids while they were in school and loved delivering them to the class they were in. There wasn't a class party that she missed. On their birthday she made cupcakes and took them to their respective classroom with balloons and before leaving would always call them to the front of the class to bless them. She loved cake decorating and made big beautiful wedding cakes for many family members. She worked at Alpha Beta for many years in the bakery, which was her calling as she loved to bake.

Our mom had many hobbies, when she wasn't in the kitchen baking or cooking something delicious for dinner she was out line dancing with friends. If she wasn't line dancing or baking she was sewing quilts for all the family and always put her label Handmade by Nana Helen. She was always wanting to have a good time with family and friends and until she got sick and was unable to get out much she was the one always hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas. She loved baking Christmas cookies and making Mexican bunuelos and her and our dad Bebe would make dozens of tamales to feast on along with a big pot of menudo!

She is survived by her loving devoted husband of 62 years Ephrem Richard Daniel Sr., aka Bebe, her sons Ephrem R. Daniel Jr., Ernest Daniel (Marion) and daughter Magdaline Madrigal (Gustavo) and two step daughters Rosanne Delgado (Leonard) and Catherine Lae. Her Sisters Francis Castro (Robert), Josie Needham (Alex), Genevieve Stewart (Bob). Her Brothers Joe Gallardo Jr. (Gloria), David Gallardo (Pam) and Alfred Gallardo. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and grandchildren and great grandchildren to which she adored.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jose Gallardo and Mary Gallardo and son Thomas J. Daniel.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 27th from 6-8:00 p.m. at Frye Chapel.  Mass will be Friday, October 28th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.