Helen Pearl Southey celebrated her 90th birthday...

Helen Pearl Southey celebrated her 90th birthday with family Sunday.

Southey was born Aug. 17, 1913 to Agnes and James Culley of

Tooele, Utah.

When she was 4, she was playing with matches and her dress caught

fire. She was burned over 98% of her body. After three major

operations, and a strong faith shown by family and the friends from

church, she survived.

At 7, she went to school in the second grade and with

determination she graduated when she was 18. She was working in Salt

Lake City when she met her husband- to-be Edward H. Southey. They

married and moved to Burbank. Edward became known as Squeaky the

Clown, performing at many civic and chamber of commerce events.

Helen taught primary school grades and was a PTA president and

leader for the Brownies and the Girl Scouts. In 1958, she was awarded

Mother of the Year for the city of Burbank.

She supported her husband’s appointments and made all of his

costumes. Edward passed away in 1985.

Helen now lives in Burbank with her son-in-law and daughter, Leo

and Mary Weber.

Her other daughter, Patricia Jones, lives in Morgan, Utah. Helen

has five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.