Helen led an interesting life.  Born in Globe, AZ on November 23, 1942 , she and her identical twin, Mildred, were quite well known.  This was especially t rue when they were very young and rather high spirited.  Their mother once said; I had to halter and tie them together to maintain any control when doing my downtown shopping.

After their school years and becoming more disciplined, Helen married Duane Re ece.  He, with a lifetime ranching and rodeo history, made their home at the Reece R anch where Dripping Springs wash meets the Gila River between Globe and Winkelman. Their two children were born there, but soon after they moved to another section of the ranch .  After the kids became of school age and without bus service, Helen had to drive them to school in Winkelman.  To avoid the difficult y of traveling back and forth over a rather rough road, she found a day jo b in town at the school cafeteria, t hen as Clerk of the Justice court. The aged J.P. then retired and Helen ran for office. In 1978 Helen was elected for Justice of the Peace and reelected five times.  She retired in 1998 after 20 years of service when the court was combined with that in Globe.

As the Election results proved during her time of tenure, she b ec a me quite revered in Southern Gila County.  It was just her nature to try doing her very best for the people.  Even after retirement, and for years, would receive calls day and night from th ose who hoped she could help solve their current problems.  Husband Duane once threatened to tear the ranch phone line down if she didn't try limit ing the calls.

On a lighter note, she often said that preformin g weddings was her most enjoyable task, and those of a great number ! When once asked how many, she said "close to a thousand" .  Even total strangers throughout the state often sought her out after hearing of her wedding rite style.

Her very favorite though, were those that she with Duane might re quire traveling for a distance to perform.  They regularly were for those acquainted with Duane and be held on cattle ranches.  Although, she never inv olved herself in a great deal of the actual ranch work, she cook ed for "many'a roundup crew" and b e well received by all. She often said that those times were about as close to a vacation as they ever had in nearly 60 years of marriage , what with Duane forever concerned with the ranch and cattle.

Helen is survived by husband Duane , s o n Corbet (Gina) Reece, daughter Kaycee (Mike) Jones.  Four grandchildren, Austin Stratton, Wheeler Reece, Aisa (Jere miah ) Whi t e , Audrey Reece and soon to be four great-grandchildren.

Private services will be held at a later date .