Helen Kalliope Petros Collier died peacefully at St. Francis Hospital on Monday, November 28, 2016 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 95.
Helen is survived by her son Martin of Ardmore, grandchildren Max and Sarah, both of Tulsa, and Helen of Aurora, Colorado. She is preceded in death by her son, George Matthew.
Helen was born on October 17, 1921 in Sand Springs, Oklahoma to George and Nora (Butz) Petros. She attended OSU before leaving work for an international airline service located in the Mid-Continental building in downtown Tulsa. During her employment with the airline company, she became very well-travelled and visited many foreign countries. Helen then obtained employment in the federal government with the FAA, where she met her soon-to-be husband Roy Collier. They adopted two boys from Greece soon after marrying.
Helen was an accomplished leader and a skillful businesswoman; she worked hard to excel in every endeavor set before her, and she always encouraged others to do the same. She had a wide variety of interests which she turned into a career: her love for history and antiques led her to become a highly sought-after appraiser relatively late in life. Age was truly but a number to Helen. Her love for life, enthusiasm for her family, dedication to personal improvement and lifelong learning proved her to be an embodiment of the Greek word philotimo, a word suggesting a life full of respect and honor. Her shrewd advice and her words of wisdom and support will be greatly missed.
Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Helen's life. Helen gave generously to many philanthropic organizations including the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer' s Association, the Boys' Home, and the Children's Fund, in addition to a large number of organizations with the aim of helping animals. Donations may be sent in her name to these or any other charitable organization.