DOWNEY – Helen “Hallie” M. Reed Moffitt Carlson, 98, passed away July 8, 2002 at a nursing home in Downey.

She was born May 6, 1904 in Sanford, CO, the daughter of Thomas Byron and Elizabeth Florence Miller Reed. She moved with her family to Idaho, where the family settled in Albion. Helen attended school there, graduating in 1923.

She married Dewitt Christian Moffit in Burley, ID, November 13, 1922. Mr. Moffit passed away September 10, 1971. Helen later married Howard Roy Carlson, March 12, 1976 and he passed away May 25, 1994.

Mrs. Carlson was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She worked in the Primary as a teacher, counselor and was president for 25 years. She was an LDS stake missionary for two years.

Mrs. Carlson was an avid reader and writer. She published three books of poems: “Fantasy and Dreams:, “Green Foam” and “Forever Yours”. Her first short fiction story – “Lights and Shadows” won a prize in the Writers’ Digest Magazine in 1948. She also published and edited a writers’ council magazine for two years. Helen was founder and organizer of the Gem State Writers’ Guild and served as its first president. She was also president of the Pocatello chapter of the Idaho Writers’ league. She compiled and published a book called “Starlight and Syringa” for the Gem State Writers’ Guild. In addition, she sold many poems, short fiction and features to magazines and newspapers.

Helen was an honorary member of the Mark Twain Society. She was given recognition in “Who’s Who of American Women”. She was poetry editor for the Idaho Free Press for five years. A highlight award was when she received the International Poetry Society’s Golden Poet of the Year award in 1989 in Washington, DC.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlson also sang together at many weddings and other special occasions.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands; her parents, and four brothers and one sister: Edward Thomas, Fredrick Earl, Joel Howard, Benjamin Harvey and Bessie Florence.

She is survived by her son, Robert L. Moffit, M.D., Mount Vernon, Indiana; and two granddaughters, Mary Catherine Wire, Ada, Ohio; and Valerie Kay Moffit, Evansville, Indiana; and one grandson, Robert Lavere Moffit, Jr., Louisville, Kentucky. There are also two great grandsons, Christopher Wire and Douglas Wire of Ada, Ohio. She is also survived by various nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held July 12 at Mountainview Cemetery with Bishop Robert Bradley of the Fourth LDS Ward conducting.