Helen Clarice Zilm

HURST -- Helen Clarice (Hunt) Zilm was born at Fort Sam Houston, Texas on November 24, 1934 to Col. Albright Hunt and Edna Phillips Hunt. She passed away surrounded by her family on Christmas Eve, 2013.
Memorial service 11am Monday, January 6, Lucas Funeral Chapel, 1321 Precinct Line Road, Hurst. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to the Salvation Army.
Her young life, during WWII and Korea, was that of an Army Air Force brat, moving from base to base as needed by the Air Force, but Texas was her anchor and home, especially when they were stationed at Carswell AFB. She passed along her childhood experiences to her children; the stories of her life in those days, growing up with her strong, wonderful mother and her three brothers, Duff, Dick and George (all military) a solid crew she dearly loved.
Fifty-nine years ago, her love for swimming brought her to the enlisted man's pool at Kelly Field in San Antonio and there she met an Airman - a temporary life guard. They dated for two weeks, fell in love; he went overseas, they were married in 1957. Kawyn Zilm was the love of her life. A life that was fulfilled in so many ways with the love they had for each other and their son Jeffrey, daughter Kristin and grandsons, who blessed the marriage.
Helen was the greatest mother, instilling the teachings of her mother, Edna, and the experiences of her life to her children. She should get every award in the book for being a loving, nurturing, guiding, instilling core values and a teaching-by-example mother to: Jeffrey Zilm a great talented young man and an super-talented adult, a son she deeply loves; Kristin (Zilm)Taylor, a daughter she also deeply loves and adores - she is a best friend, confidant and a sister. They talked multiple times a day helping Kristin with the challenges of raising three sons. And then there are “The Boys”, her Grandsons; Blaine, Brock and Brant Taylor. There are no words to describe Helen's love and adoration for these three, personable, intelligent, talented, successful young men. They are the light of her life and in them she saw them developing into outstanding adults.
In her life, Helen has been first a mother and home maker, amply providing for each and all of them. In the communities where she has lived she has contributed her time to diverse organizations; on the air bases where she lived so often; in the Tulsa years, donating her time as a Greeter at the airport to charities helping the poor and needy. Helen loves to see the smile of babies and the enthusiasm from small children, she would say, “When you see a baby smile it always makes my day, it always reminds me of our kids, and the boys growing up.” She smiled at every TV commercial that used children. She is a fan of all animals and especially her loyal dog “Butter”.
She is with God now, who has blessed and received her in heaven, where she will be in peace for eternity. She will be smiling and aglow when she sees her mother and two of her brothers, Major Richard Hunt and Col. George Hunt, both who died serving our country.
She is terribly missed by her family: husband Kawyn, children Jeffrey (Sonja) Zilm, Kristin (Tim) Taylor, grandchildren Blaine, Brock, Brant, Taylor; brother Command Master Sergeant Albright “Duff” Hunt (Ret), numerous Hunt nieces and nephews and an eight year old neighbor, Zane Sheffield who often dropped by, after school, to visit “Miss Helen.” It made her day.
The Zilm family sends its best wishes and overwhelming thank you to all the pulmonary staff and especially nurses, Eric and George at H.E.B. Methodist and especially to the staff at Community Hospice of Texas organization, and Nurse Sharron Cooper for their loving care and the compassion they practice with their patients and families. Thank you and May God bless all of you
Lucas Funeral Home
Hurst, 817-284-7271