Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, Helen (Griego) Vialpando, passed away peacefully Dec. 27, 2020, in Tooele, Utah. She was surrounded by her loving family. Mom was born May 16, 1934, in Dixon, New Mexico, to Nicanor and Stella (Pineda) Brito.
She attended schools in New Mexico before marrying Willie Griego on March 18, 1950, in Dixon. In Sept. 1952, Mom and Dad moved to Tooele where she began her new life as a home maker raising six kids. In 1966, she worked at the Tooele Valley Nursing Home for five years and she also worked at Sperry Univac (later L3 Corp) until her retirement in 1990. Mom and Dad were married for 40 years until Willie’s death in 1991. In 1995, Mom married Clovis Vialpando and they were married for 25 years until her death.
Mom greatest joy was her family. There was nothing she would not do for her kids. In her early years, she was a room mother at Harris Elementary. Later, she would always be waiting for her adult children and grandchildren to drop in to enjoy her wonderful cooking. Along with cooking (her tortillas were the Best!), she liked to crochet, travel, and go to Wendover. She was a member of St. Marguerite Parish.
Mom is survived by her husband of 25 years, Clovis, son Mike (Bonnie), daughter Gayla (Rick), son Bill (Patricia), and (son) Fr. Ken Vialpando; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Mom was preceded in death by her first husband Willie, daughter Gloria, and sons Brian and Art.
Due to COVID-19 and safety guidelines, the funeral mass is for family Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, at St. Marguerite Catholic Church, from 11:30 a.m. in Tooele. There will be a viewing held at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St., Tooele, from 10 to 11 a.m. Please follow the COVID-19 guidelines and wear a mask. Interment will take place at the Tooele City Cemetery following the funeral mass. There will not be a luncheon to follow services.