Helen Ruth Talbott – Oct. 27, 1937 — May 9, 2014

Helen R. Talbott, longtime resident of Montrose and the Western Slope, passed away in Fruita on Friday, May 9, 2014. She was 76.

The child of Ralph and Naomi Cowan, she was born in Boise, Idaho, and lived in several locations throughout her childhood. But Western Colorado was her home. Some of her fondest childhood memories stem from her time living with her grandparents near Telluride in Ames, Colo., where her grandfather operated the Ames Power Plant, the world’s first commercial alternating-current power plant.

She married D. Eugene Talbott in Castle Rock, Colo., in 1959. They shared a lifelong love of the outdoors and togetherness. With her at his side, he passed away suddenly in 2001.

She was a devoted mother, loving wife, cherished friend and consummate grower of African violets. She worked as a bookkeeper and accountant, including at Connors Drilling in Montrose and Delta-Montrose Electric Association.

She is survived by son Clinton Talbott, daughter-in-law Melinda Marquis, and brothers Orion Cowan and Marvin Cowan.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, “Gene,” her daughter, LaRena, and her baby boy.

A graveside remembrance is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2014, at Grandview Cemetery in Montrose (map).