Helma Richarda Cherian

Helma Richarda Cherian, 78, passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2014 in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Her family was originally from Denmark, but she was born in Dargun, North Germany, September 14, 1936. She survived the turmoil and treachery of the Nazis during the war as a young child in Germany by hiding in the woods. She so loved growing up. Eventually she was able to finish high school and managed to get to West Germany to reunite with some relatives and go to college in Hanover to study architecture and drafting.

She met her future husband, Gabriel B. Cherian, in Hamburg, Germany and a whole new life started. They were married in Frankfurt, Germany on April 13, 1960. They moved to the United States June 16, 1963. Helma and Gabe have three sons, Alex, Thomas and Maurice. The family moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvania then to California.

Helma and Gabe eventually retired and landed in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho. With her children grown up, she finally had time to return to and flourish in her passion of painting. She was greatly enjoying her life, home, family and friends, only to be stripped of it all by a cruel cancer. She will be deeply missed by her family and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sun Valley, Idaho. Interment will follow at the Ketchum Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make gifts or donations to Hospice of Wood River Valley, PO Box 4320, Ketchum, Idaho 83340.