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.