Surrounded by her family, Helen Louise Madon Heath, 96, passed away on Dec. 11, 2016. A coal miner's daughter, she was born on Oct. 15, 1920, to John and Beatrice Madon in Keokee, Va., but spent most of her childhood in Harlan, Ky. In 1938, she graduated from Pine Mountain Settlement School. In 1944, she graduated from nursing school in Toledo, Ohio, and married Fred Heath later that year. Throughout her life, Helen had many adventures living in several states from Kentucky through the midwest, pacific northwest and Alaska. Her first move to Alaska was prior to statehood: she and her husband lived briefly in Seward, Alaska. During the late 1960s through the 1970s, Helen worked as a psychiatric nurse at Alaska Psychiatric Institute. Her nursing career spanned over 40 years. Fred and Helen were married 53 years until his death in 1997. After her husband's death, Helen continued to live in Oregon, then moved to Ohio and Texas with her daughter, Elaine, and finally returned to Alaska in 2012, to be cared for by her daughters, Jeanine and Julie.Helen was known for her grandma hugs, infectious optimism, keen intellect and great sense of humor. In spite of losing most of her vision in her later years, Helen continued to be an avid reader and stayed current on world events. She was a proud Democrat. A member of Christ First United Methodist Church, her faith in Christ was her cornerstone.She is survived by her five children, Mike (Carol) Heath of Oregon, Jeff Heath of Oregon, Elaine Heath (Randy Bell) of North Carolina, Julie Mathews (Steve Belden) of Alaska, and Jeanine Sparks (Jackie Fongemie) of Alaska; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her brother, Randy of Florida; sister, Wilma of Virginia; and sister, Mary Alice of Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Beatrice Madon; her husband, Fred Heath; her sisters, June and Inez; and her grandchildren, Grace and Russell Mathews.Her family wishes to thank Helen's personal care attendant, Karen Odenthal, for her loving care for the past three years.A memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, at 4 p.m. at Christ First United Methodist Church in Wasilla, Alaska. Friends and family are invited to attend. Helen will be interred at Pioneer Cemetery in Palmer, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016.In lieu of flowers, Helen's family requests donations be made in her honor to Pine Mountain Settlement School, 36 Highway 510, Pine Mountain, KY 40810-8289; http://www.pinemountainsettlementschool.com/.