Helen TorvinenJuly 31, 1930July 5, 2017Helen Lorraine Torvinen, 86, passed away peacefully at Renown Medical Center on July 5, 2017. She was surrounded by her loving family, including her 4 children, their spouses, and several of her grandchildren.Helen Lorraine Norris was born on July 31, 1930 in Sparks, Nevada to LeRoy and Martha Norris. She graduated from Sparks High School in 1948. In 1951, she graduated from Highland Nursing School in Oakland, California. Upon graduation, Helen sought adventure as a young nurse and moved to Juneau, Alaska with her best friend, Eleanor Reed. Helen worked as a nurse in Alaska for 2 years. She returned to Northern Nevada in 1954 where she worked for St. Mary's Hospital and the Veterans Hospital. In 1958 Helen was introduced to a rising young lawyer, Roy Lee Torvinen. They fell in love and married in 1959. Not long after marriage, Roy and Helen started a family which eventually grew to 4 children.Helen was an outstanding mother to the 4 Torvinen kids. She was patient and kind. She was not judgmental or critical. However, birthing 4 active and mischievous kids within 6 years created a high decibel and bustling household. In the 1970s, after a long and hot summer day, Helen could occasionally be seen after 5 PM leaning against the kitchen counter in the Torvinen household "nursing" her one per evening vodka tonic. Neither Helen nor Roy were afraid to allow their kids to fail. Helen understood that one cannot truly know success unless one understands failure. As a result, when asked, she delivered mom's advice such as "one door closes, and another opens." Her children are grateful to her for her wise parenting.Helen was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 47 years, Retired Washoe District Judge, Roy Lee Torvinen. She was also preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Martha Norris, and her siblings Rex Norris, Bob Norris, and Reve Jensen. She is survived by her 4 children, Todd (Amanda), Karen (Glenn), Thomas (Debbie), and James (Lauren), all of Reno, and 10 grandchildren.A brief service for Helen will be held in the Tahoe Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery (435 Stoker Ave., Reno) on July 15, 2017 at 2:30 PM. There will be a reception at Todd and Amanda Torvinen's Reno residence, 2055 Meadowview Lane, following the memorial service. Helen's life and her service to her family will be celebrated with fond memories, tears, and most importantly big smiles.