Obituary: Helen Avon Anderson Paulsen

Helen Avon (Bonnie) Anderson Paulsen 1925 ~ 2005 She always thought of herself as a downtown girl and loved growing up in beautiful Salt Lake City in the 1940's. She enjoyed her first job as a delivery girl for the old Dayne's Jewelry Co. located at 128 South Main. She loved walking from Z.C.M.I. down Main Street past T.W. Grant's, F.W. Woolworth's, Kress's and around the corner on Broadway to the Paris Co., Keith O'Brien's and Auerbach's. She loved to see and greet people she knew. Helen Avon (Bonnie) Anderson was born on July 10, 1925 - the first child of five born to Alexander Pyper and Helen Mar Woodruff Anderson. She passed away January 10, 2005. Bonnie had a very happy childhood growing up in the venerable Woodruff Villa (1891) at 1622 South Fifth East. She attended South High School and was graduated from the University of Utah where she was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. She married the love of her life, Abel Ellingsen Paulsen, on August 5, 1953 in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple. They were the parents of five children, 22 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She has missed her dear Abel immensely these past four years. He took such wonderful care of her as her health failed. Bonnie loved people! She was a hostess at the Beehive House for many years and took great delight in showing guests through that lovely old home. Later she enjoyed serving as a guide at the L.D.S. Church Office Building. Bonnie felt it a great privilege to sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and to make musical recordings with the great orchestras of the world. She and her dear friends were on the front row directly behind Alexander Schreiner, where they were able to partake of his musical genius and sparkling wit first hand. Bonnie was so thankful for her pioneer heritage - those sturdy souls who made their way across the great plains to come to the Salt Lake Valley and help make it blossom as a rose. Mom was the best homemaker and made everything she did beautiful. Christmas was always a special time in the Paulsen home. Everything was decorated so lovely. Mom loved to make delicious treats for her neighbors and friends. She learned the art of candy making from her beloved Aunt Evelyn Woodruff. No one baked or cooked like Mom and we all have the figures to prove it! The things most dear to Mother's heart were her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Abel, her children and grandchildren. She loved her family with all her heart and in return they loved and adored her. Bonnie is survived by Rebecca (Ronald) Christensen, Salt Lake City, Elizabeth Hulbert, Brigham City, Matthew W. (Ramona) Paulsen, Salt Lake City, Naomi (Dr. Jeffrey R.) Lish, Mantua, Sarah Paulsen (David Brown), Twin Falls, ID, Barbara Miller, Los Angeles, CA, Woodruff (Sandy) Anderson, Albion, ID, Judith A. (Jack) Jones, and Lynda Tassainer, Salt Lake City. The family would like to thank the dear members of East Mill Creek Second Ward for all their compassionate service these last years. Services will be held Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 12:00 noon, at the East Mill Creek Second Ward, 3750 South Hillside Lane (2500 East). Friends and family may call Friday Evening from 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 So. Highland Dr., or at the church on Saturday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to services.