Helen LaBelle

Helen Jean Harriman LaBelle
October 22, 1940 to June 11, 2026

Helen Jean Harriman LaBelle, of Bountiful, Utah, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and friends after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Heaven has gained a true angel.

The first of five girls, Helen was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming on October 22, 1940, to Joseph Ira and Norma Hoye Harriman. Joe worked in the coal mines. After World War II began, he was drafted to the South Pacific with the Navy. Helen was just shy of two years old at the time; Joe wasn’t discharged until she was five. Upon his return, their young family moved to Layton, and then Kaysville, Utah where Helen and her younger sisters were raised while Joe and Norma both worked at Hill Air Force Base. Times were never easy, but they enjoyed the simple things in life like fishing, picnics, and trips to Yellowstone & Jackson Hole – where Joe had worked in the CCC building trails and cabins as a teen. The siblings always had each other, and formed tight bonds that remain to this day.

Helen was hard-working, talented, kind, and tough. Her beauty was from the inside-out. She contracted rheumatic fever at age 9 and was bedridden for six months, but remained positive and began to love music during that time – especially country western singer Gene Autry. Helen, her younger sister Sheila, and cousin Judy were nearly inseparable during childhood, and became known as the Three Musketeers with adventures every day. In spite of moving during Junior High, Helen still managed to be voted class officer, cheerleader, and wrote the Central Junior High song. All this on top of walking several miles to school each day. Helen also joined the LDS church during this time; her sisters and mother soon followed.

High School was a blossoming time for Helen. The family had built a home, and moved to Kaysville by then. She attended Davis High (the only high school in the county at that time), and developed wonderful friendships that lasted a lifetime. Her academic skills shined, and she graduated with high honors as Valedictorian. Helen was also head cheerleader, Homecoming, Jr. Prom, and FFA Queen, sang in the Madrigals, and worked at Lagoon. - where she was reunited with the love of her life and future husband, Hal LaBelle, after their first date three years before (when he was a senior at Davis High and Helen was a sophomore). Helen came home from that one, and only high school date with Hal, and told her Mom and sister that she was going to marry Hal LaBelle someday, and as usual, she was right.

Helen attended the University of Utah on academic scholarship, and worked her way through school while majoring in Elementary Education. She also pledged to the Chi Omega Sorority, and loved the support system and social experience it provided. She, and Hal were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on November 18, 1960. Helen graduated with her bachelor's degree while she was pregnant with their first child, and also working, another example of her grit. She graduated Summa Cum Laude. A longtime classmate, and sorority sister described Helen as a peacemaker; always kind, even tempered, trustworthy and supportive.

Hal and Helen raised their family in Kaysville and Bountiful, Utah. After two years of teaching, Helen chose to be a full-time mother. First born Lisa was followed by sons Rick, Curt, and Mark, all each three to six years apart. The last two pregnancies were difficult, but she persevered. Helen loved motherhood and provided constant love, guidance, support, help, and structure - reading dozens of books with each child. She patiently answered every question her children asked, never raising her voice. Helen was a favorite room mother for all of her children, and PTA president at their elementary school, always involved, and serving. She was a Scoutmaster, First Aid Merit Badge Teacher, and held many church callings, which she loved, including Relief Society presidency, Young Women’s President, Primary President, visiting teacher, on, and on. Helen was a longtime baseball scorekeeper at every little league game that each of her sons played, spanning many years. USA Today voted her into its baseball Hall of Fame for such devoted and excellent scorekeeping over two decades. All three of her sons also received their Eagle Scout awards, with Helen motivating them along the way.

Family life was very active in the LaBelle household. Helen loved dancing with Hal, and later became known as “Rock ‘n Roll Grandma” because she loved all music and had impeccable rhythm. Spare time was filled with fishing, horseback riding, dancing, running marathons, playing tennis, cooking, quilting, snowmobiling, Saturdays at the Deseret Gym, going to countless Utah Stars and later Utah Jazz basketball games, (Helen was a passionate fan), bowling, golf, countless sports, dance, and musical events for each of her children and grandchildren, and traveling. She made every birthday, holiday, and life event a special time for her family, and extended family. Helen loved being a mom and a grandma. It was one of her life's greatest joys. She was also an official volunteer at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City where she was over helping the children who performed in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. She was in her element. Helen loved this experience. Her favorite destinations to travel were Sun Valley, Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, St. George, Hawaii, New York City, and Europe – culminating in a cherished Scandinavian cruise with Hal in their final years, just before each of them began their health declines.

Helen was a true giver, and loved to be of service. Her favorite movie was The Sound of Music; she was a real life version of Julie Andrew’s radiant character. When her Dad passed at a young age, Helen helped raise her younger sisters, nieces and nephews. She greatly valued being with her family, and extended family throughout her life. Helen loved, adored, and rolled out the red carpet for Hal every single day, and cared for him physically in his final years…even as she began dealing with Alzheimer’s.

After Hal passed in early 2024, Helen resided at Creekside Senior Living's Memory Care in Bountiful, Utah. We would like to thank the staff, caregivers, hospice, nurses, and doctor at Creekside for their outstanding, loving, and compassionate care for Helen. They adored her, stating that “Helen helped everyone feel loved, happy, and important.” Everyday, Helen wanted to be sure that everyone was okay. This sentiment has been true from the day she was born. Helen personified love, and that will be her legacy.

Helen was preceded in death by Hal W. LaBelle, her husband of 63-years; her parents Norma Hoye and Joseph Ira (Harriman); sisters Sheila (Carlson) and Janice (Benton); and her Musketeer cousin Judy Hill (Harriman). She is survived by daughter Lisa (Farmington), sons Rick (Driggs/Boise), Curt (Rachel/Salt Lake), Mark (Annie/North Salt Lake), sisters Marilyn (Morton Phillips/Park City) and Linda (Scott Buckley/Tooele); nine grandchildren, one great-grandson with her second great-grandson expected in July, and many nieces and nephews who love her dearly. .

Services will be held on June 27 at the Foxhill LDS Chapel on 200 Eagle Ridge Dr., North Salt Lake, UT 84054. Viewing will be from 9:30am to 11:15am; Funeral will be at 11:30am to 12:30pm. Flowers can be sent to the same chapel address. Burial to follow at Memorial Lakeview Cemetery in Bountiful.