July 16, 1895 – December 18, 1990. Fred's great-grandmother. Gramp's complicated, capable, difficult mother. Lived to 95.

Born Helen Margaret Rickard in Mendocino County, California. Married her first husband on her 17th birthday; he died two months after Gramp was born — a tractor accident, then a fistula in the hospital, 1913. Raised Gramp largely alone across a string of hard years: banks, real estate companies, a brief stint in the silent films (she decided to get out before she became embroiled in their scandalous lifestyles), a second marriage to a lawyer who didn’t treat Gramp well, then a third to Elmer Wilson Heald — a young attorney who came to Calipatria seeking a beginning to practice his profession and eventually became District Attorney, then Superior Court Judge of Imperial County. She called it a beautiful marriage and was in it for 53 years.

Gramp grew up partly with her parents while she worked. They had a complicated relationship. When his high school won the Southern California championship, she wasn’t there. When he was in class plays, she wasn’t there. Elmer Sr. at least came to debate.

She left a brief memoir, signed “HH.” She was formidable, productive, often difficult, and extraordinary by any measure you choose to apply.

The family called her Gagalene.