Helen Carlson Hartzog was born March 22, 1923 in Boston, MA to a large family that was deeply engaged in its community and church. With the encouragement of her parents, brothers and sisters, she too, enthusiastically embraced community and church activities. She fell in love with music at an early age becoming an accomplished pianist and musician. While studying music and taking extension courses in business at Boston and Harvard Universities she sang on Uncle Buddy's Radio program, station WEEl, a popular program in Boston at the time.

In 1947 she married George B. Hartzog, Jr. Together they forged a committed and powerful partnership sharing 61 years of marriage. They raised three children - George, Ill, a United Methodist Minister, Bloomington, IN; Nancy Helen, a United Methodist Minister, Ormond Beach, FL; and Edward Algot, an attorney and environmental advocate, New York, NY. They raised their children in National Parks in Colorado, Tennessee, and Missouri before moving to Washington, D. C. when Mr. Hartzog was appointed Director of the National Park Service.

Family was always first. Never running out of energy or time for her children she remained interested and involved always asking "How can I help"?, and "Do you have enough money for some ice cream"? She loved being outdoors in the Parks hiking or entertaining Friends and Park Service family. She was known for having homemade oatmeal cookies and lemonade ready for friends who dropped in for a visit. Helen continued to find ways, after her husband passed in 2008, to contribute to favorite projects and causes she and George supported together.

A person of great faith, she lived every day knowing that God was present and guiding her life. As a testament to her faith she made it a daily practice to thank everyone who cared for her. To all of her" girls", those who cared for her every day and every night, she would say "Thank you very very much", and as a postscript, would add "let's hang out later, together". Helen is survived by her three children, four grandchildren, Barbara Ellen of Santa Fe, NM, Rebekah Anne of Eugene, OR., Dietrich Benjamin of St. Louis, MO., Alex Nalika New York City; and three great grandchildren. A family graveside service will be held at the Live Oak Cemetery at a time and date to be announced soon.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday afternoon, February 22, 2022 at 1:00 at the Live Oak Cemetery in Walterboro.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen's memory may be made to the  National Parks Foundation, https://give.nationalparks.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3144&mfc_pref=T&3144.donation=form1; or Clemson Hartzog Lecture Series, https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/parks/index.html.