Helen Hatsumi Painter

Helen Hatsumi Painter, 83, of Farmington, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington. She was born June 5, 1932, in Port Essington, British Columbia, Canada, the daughter of Hideo Kameda and Yen Shirakawa.
Helen was born in Canada to Japanese parents. Her mother took her and her brother home to Japan before the start of World War II. She grew up in Japan and met Roy Painter while working at a military base. After returning to the United States, they soon moved to Farmington with their two children. She worked at McLellan's Five and Dime Store as a clerk for many years. She loved to paint, especially oil landscapes. Knitting and crocheting were also hobbies of hers.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Painter; parents, Yen Shirakawa and Hideo Kameda; brother, Takashi Shirakawa; and a grandson, Robert Painter.
Helen leaves behind her son, Dr. Bobby (Judi) Painter; daughter, Marie (Paul) Martin all of Farmington; grandchildren, Ryan Martin, Sean (Mindy) Martin, Scott (Miriam) Martin, Zach (Jacquelyn) Painter; great-grandchildren, Chloe Martin, Emmallie Martin and Makena Painter; and many dear friends.
The Painter family wishes to thank Dr. DeVitre, Dr. McCulloch, Dr. Pope and the nurses at San Juan Regional Medical Center for their compassionate care of Helen.
Cremation will take place and memorial services for Helen will be Sunday, Aug. 16, at 4 p.m. at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington, with the Rev. John Preston officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Greenlawn Cemetery, where she will be buried with her husband, Roy. Helen's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.