Helen SmockOctober 3, 1918 - December 14, 2016The saying goes, "Good fences make good neighbors." If the saying is true, then the old four-foot high, chain link fence that separated the Smock and Leane houses on Michigan Street on the east side of Indianapolis was absolutely priceless. A low fence that afforded no privacy was exactly what led to a friendship that began over 40 years ago. The gate that easily swung both ways, allowed toddlers to pass through, left-overs to be shared, dinner invitations to be easily made at the last minute, and a friendship that truly was more "like family" than neighborly. That old fence made for good neighbors.Our beloved friend, Helen Ruth (Burkhardt) Smock, passed away on December 14, 2016, at the age of 98. Helen was born on October 3, 1918, to Frank Edward and Winnie Helen (Howell) Burkhardt in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Helen would have treasured the companionship of a younger brother, Ralph, born in 1921 who died in 1924. Being a pioneer in her time, she was independent, funny, self-made, intelligent, hard working, and above all else, always a lady. No one could do a better job of sharing her story of a lifetime that spans almost ten decades than the lady herself:"I went to first grade in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. We moved to Titusville, Florida in 1925, where I graduated in 1935. The summer of 1935 we moved to St. Petersburg, Florida where I attended Bixby Business College. After the first year, I worked for the claims manager of a fire and casualty insurance company for a couple of years and then as the personal secretary for a wholesale plumbing supply company, while living at home. In 1940, the idea of trying a winter in a colder climate appealed to me, and I moved to Indianapolis. Of course, having met a young man the previous year with whom a correspondence began and his visits to St. Petersburg, may have had something to do with the decision. I had planned for a one-year stay if more permanent plans didn't come about. They didn't, but I stayed for 65 years. Through friends, Gale Smock and I were acquainted for several years, but it was late in 1947 that I "noticed him" and we became engaged on Christmas Eve and married April 10, 1948. He died on October 4, 1974. My first employment was for Newspaper Boys of America, which supplied training material for newspaper circulation managers and newspaper boys around the world. When WWII began, industries that had the equipment and ability to make supplies for newspapers became AA1. The facilities were used for government contracts to make canvas items and bind training manuals. Most of the men who were managers and supervisors went in the armed services, leaving the VP who was only involved in the writing, editing, and publishing of the printed materials. He and I and the remaining office staff were the ones who had exposure to retail suppliers and managed the company until I retired in 1950.I returned to work on a temporary, part time basis and went to work in the claim department of Gulf Insurance Company's regional office. I later accepted the job as administrative manager of the regional office, taking retirement in 1985 at the age of 67. I remained in Indianapolis until December 2005. My move to Grand Junction, CO, to be near John and Nancy Leane and their families was the second best and joyful decision of my life, the first best decision of my life was marrying Gale Smock."Humble and always a lady, Helen didn't mention in her story that she spent nearly two decades providing around-the-clock care for her ill husband and aging parents in the home they shared on Michigan Street in Indianapolis. Her favorite saying, "See the need-do the deed," was more than just a magnet on her refrigerator. She lived it. Helen was a volunteer at the Benjamin Harrison Home in Indianapolis, contributing member to the Methodist Church, Hospice benefactor, and she spent the better part of the last 40 years of her life taking care to be a loving aunt to her nieces, Do Shore of Sun City, CA, Jan (Gary) Bader of Bradenton, FL, and Jeri (Dan) Jordan of Granada, CA. She was also a surrogate mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to the Leane family. Helen's passion for travel taught her to be adventurous, always ready for fun, and to make friends easily. Even in her 90s Helen frequently said, "Don't invite me to do something unless you really want me there, because I'm always up for invitations and most likely to answer with a yes!" Helen is preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband, numerous friends and relatives from across the country and across decades. Our family is grateful for the kind and loving care provided by La Villa Grande Care Center and HopeWest. She also leaves behind good friends at Horizon Towers. We loved having Helen in our lives and her adventurous spirit will live on in the many, many memories we cherish of our dear friend. Thankfully, that old chain link fence wasn't that great…but the neighbor sure was! In lieu of a contribution, please find someone, or something, that is in need and do the deed! Please join the Leane family at a gathering to share stories about our friend Helen on Sunday, January 8 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.