Helen Elaine Nankivell, 98, of Flagstaff, passed away on October 8, 2026 at the Bluffs of Flagstaff Assisted Living facility. Helen was born on May 7, 1928 in Denver, Colorado to William and Helen Stewart. Helen graduated from South High School in Denver in 1946 and attended Denver University where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.

Helen married her high school friend Robert (Bob) Nankivell in 1948. They had a son, Robert and a daughter, Debra. Bob joined the Air Force in 1951 and they lived in Aurora, Colorado until they were transferred in 1956 to Rhein Main AFB in Germany. While overseas for two years, the family drove all over Germany and also visited the Netherlands and Belgium.

In 1958, Bob was transferred to Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington. The family enjoyed camping, boating and water-skiing at Priest Lake and Porcupine Bay as well as visiting national parks in the Northwest. After being a stay-at-home mom for 16 years, Helen decided to return to college as a full-time student at Whitworth College. She earned a BA in English and a teaching degree in 1966.

In 1966, Bob was transferred to Castle AFB, Merced, California. Helen began her teaching career at McSwain Elementary (5 years) and taught at Thomas Olaeta Elementary in Atwater, California for 17 years.

Helen and Bob retired in 1988 and lived in Merced until 1991, when they moved to Woodland Park, Colorado. They met many new friends and were affectionately called “Mom” and “Pops.” They loved to travel and over the years made two road trips from California to the East Coast and back, adding many expected and unexpected side trips along the way. They also enjoyed traveling to Lake Tahoe, Europe, Mexico, Canada, taking cruises and visiting all 50 states. Helen enjoyed playing slot machines – first in Lake Tahoe, then Reno, Las Vegas, Cripple Creek, Laughlin, Coeur d’Alene and Twin Arrows near Flagstaff. Her motto – you can’t win if you don’t play!

Helen and Bob moved to Pullman, Washington in 2011. The following year, Bob passed away shortly after their 64th wedding anniversary at the Bishop Place Assisted Living facility. Helen moved into the Independent Living side of the same facility in 2012 and made many new friends, enjoying the many activities including Wii Bowling and Scrabble.

Helen moved to Flagstaff, Arizona in 2018 and lived in assisted living at the Bluffs of Flagstaff until her death on October 8, 2026.

Helen is survived by her son Bob and her daughter-in-law Gesche of Queen Valley, Arizona; her daughter Debbie in Flagstaff; and her grandson Rob Braughton.

The family thanks the staffs of the Bluffs of Flagstaff and Maggie’s Hospice for their friendship and care of Helen. Per Helen’s wishes no memorial services will be held. The family suggests memorials be made to a favorite charity.