Helen Jean Cameron

Helen Jean Cameron passed away peacefully on Monday, February 24, 2014, at the age of 84. Helen was born June 2, 1929 in Great Falls, Montana to Hugh and Hazel (Tuey) Cameron, the younger of Hugh and Hazel’s two children. She graduated as Salutatorian from Great Falls High School in 1947 and was awarded a scholarship to Montana State College (now University) where she majored in Chemistry. While at MSU, Helen was introduced to Bruce Mecklenburg, the brother of an AO Pi sorority sister. They were married in 1950 and had four children, Gregory, Walter Daniel, Richard, and Laurie. Helen’s keen intellect led her back to the university following her divorce where she attained her Doctorate in Genetics in 1965. Thereafter, she joined the faculty at MSU where she taught and conducted research in the field of Genetics until she retired. Helen was naturally inquisitive, extremely well-read, and an avid gardener. She married Charles Caughlan, a fellow professor at MSU in 1975 in Idaho Falls while on a skiing trip. They lived their retirement years at their home on a farm on Gee Norman Road, until they could no longer care for themselves and moved into assisted living. Helen is preceded in death by both her first husband, Bruce Mecklenburg, and her second husband, Charles Caughlan, her parents, Hugh and Hazel Cameron, and her brother, Robert Cameron. She is survived by her sons, Greg (wife Ursula), Dan (wife Barbara) and Rich Mecklenburg all of Bozeman; and daughter, Laurie Cameron (husband Bill Brands) currently residing in Guatemala City, Guatemala; six grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at the Rocking TJ Ranch, 651 Lynx Ln. in Bozeman.