Hellen McGill

BURLEY – Hellen Port Weekes McGill, 94, of Burley, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at home surrounded by loving family members.

Hellen was born on Aug. 3, 1918, in Oakley, Idaho, the first of 14 children born to James Garnett and Juanetta Rose Port. She grew up in Oakley until the age of 16, when she moved to Boise to live with her grandparents. There, she met and married Cecil Weekes on June 14, 1937. To this union five children were born. They lived mostly in the Victor, Idaho area. After the marriage ended, Hellen brought her children back to Oakley.

While working as a waitress in Burley, she met Ed McGill. They were married on May 4, 1951, in Elko, Nevada. This marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on April 7, 1972. To this union four children were born. They lived in Rupert until moving to Heyburn in 1965. After Ed’s death, Hellen moved to Burley where she was living at the time of her death.

Hellen was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many callings throughout her life. She was a caring and loving person, whom everyone called grandma.

Hellen is survived by her children, Jean (John) Slovak of Bunnell, Fla., Jane (Ralph) Rector of Kenai, Alaska, William (Kathi) Weekes of Burley, Kathy (Jack) Bailey of Heyburn, Molly (Denny) Kay of Juneau, Alaska, Mary (Ron) Harris of Macedon, N.Y., June Blatnick of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Garnett Teal and Francis McGill both of Burley; 43 grandchildren; 151 great-grandchildren; 79 great-great-grandchildren; five sisters, Louise Woodhouse, Dorothy Robinson, Elma Washburn, and Elizabeth (Chuck) Payton all of Oakley, and Garnetta Gee of Hansen, Idaho; and one brother, Jack (Rhoda) Port of Pocatello.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ed McGill; one grandson; five great- grandchildren; six brothers, Russell, James, Bill, Dennis, Jerry and Oscar Port; and one sister, Rosella Martin.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the Burley LDS 3rd and 7th Ward Church, 2200 Oakley Ave., with Bishop Steve Garn officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, March 25, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from noon until 12:45 p.m. Tuesday at the church.