Helen Marcia Daines Harvath

Helen Marcia Daines Harvath, age 87, passed peacefully in her home in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 6, 2023. She was born May 21, 1936 in Logan, Utah to Newel George Daines and Verna Rainey Daines. She was the eighth of eleven children, the first sibling born in a hospital. It was a lively house filled with her constant companions. She was a reliable sous chef and potato-scrubber, following chore orders from her mother. She graduated from her beloved alma mater, Utah State University, where she also obtained her master’s degree. It is also where she met Jack Harvath, and they were married December 27, 1957 in the Logan Temple. 

Together they raised five children: Barbara, Victoria, Jonathan, Daniel, and David. They settled in the greater Bay Area, California, and devoted their lives to teaching. Helen taught various age groups from kindergarten through college for more than 50 years and didn’t stop teaching until she was 80. Helen simultaneously had a long modeling, acting and broadcasting career. Her children, grandchildren, and students loved the hours spent learning through games, classic children’s literature, and her music. Whoever she interacted with, she had a special ability to meet everyone where they were at, show attention to their interests, and love them unconditionally.

Helen was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a Relief Society President for many years, in numerous presidencies and various positions. She served a full time Mission with her husband at BYU-Hawaii in Laie, Hawaii combining her expertise in public speaking and communications with her love of service. She was known for her commitment to family, her kind heart and her energy. 

She is survived by her five children: Barbara Harvath, Victoria (and Kurt) Hales, Jonathan Harvath, Daniel (and Leah) Harvath, and David (and Camille) Harvath, 12 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. Helen is also survived by three of her 11 siblings: David Daines, Jonathan Daines, and Samuel Daines. She was preceded in death by Jack A. Harvath, her beloved husband of 46 years. 

Family visitation is scheduled for January 6, 2024, at 10 a.m. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at 11 a.m. to noon at the historic Fifth Ward Chapel at 502 East 300 North, Logan, Utah 84321. Luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to Utah Public Radio (donate.nprstations.org/upr/support-upr), where Helen began broadcasting at Utah State.