Helga Matthews peacefully left this world to be with Jesus on August 5, 2012. She was laid to rest at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery on August 8, 2012. She will be forever loved and missed by all who knew and loved her.

Helga was born February 22, 1936, in Aalen, Germany to Karl and Emma Bullinger. She was a beautiful and loving older sister to her younger siblings, Rose and Peter. After graduating from high school she began an apprenticeship to become an architect, but her professional plans were put aside when she met her true love, Alan "Nick" Matthews. After a brief courtship they married February 1, 1956. Shortly thereafter, Nick was transferred to Edwards Air Force Base in California. Helga was overjoyed when his next assignment was to Landstuhl, Germany, where their first daughter Monica Ann Matthews was born in 1961. Helga truly loved being a doting and nurturing wife and mother. The family returned to the States for his next assignment and the birth of their second daughter Andrea Kay Matthews at Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1967. After a brief assignment at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Nick returned in 1974, and they settled in the Lompoc Valley to raise their family. Once her children were school age she began working part-time at Security Pacific National Bank as a teller and later as a loan officer at Vandenberg Federal Credit Union. Although she retired at an early age from the banking industry, she made lifelong friendships with her coworkers. Everyone who knew her loved her. She was especially remembered as a friend who gave the best motherly love and advice for anyone in need.

Helga exemplified what a wife and mother should be. She adored her family and made countless sacrifices for their needs and wellbeing. She gave of her time and energy unselfishly and generously. Most of all she loved to cook and was famous at any gathering for her authentic German food.

For fun she loved going to Aquacise classes where she made many friends and was a source of laughter and good cheer. Helga's true passion came in 1996, when she became a grandmother to little Emma. She often said she had a love for her granddaughter that was unsurpassed. When Emma turned five years old they began a yearly summer trip to Germany and throughout Europe including Italy, Austria, France, Monaco, Belgium and Switzerland. Helga truly delighted to travel and show her granddaughter the beautiful churches, museums and sights Europe had to offer.

Sadly she was preceded in death by her daughter Monica in 1984, and her loving husband Nick in 2005. She is survived by her daughter Andrea K. Matthews-McCarthy and granddaughter Emma McCarthy of Vandenberg Village, her sister Rose Mittner of Eislingen, Germany, her brother-in-law Marc Matthews and sister-in-law Tracy Matthews of Apple Valley, California, her sister-in-law Mickey Stokley of Buena Park, California and numerous nieces and nephews.

Even in the darkest hours of her life, when she lost her loved ones, she always comforted those around her by reminding them that God has a reason for all. Helga loved her family and friends so dearly and their lives were touched and blessed with kindness and care like no other. And although she will be so missed, we have to believe that God had a reason to take this angel up to heaven and release her from her ailing earthly body. She is an angel in heaven now and will shower her love over all of us by the many beautiful memories she left behind.

In lieu of flowers, due to her love for her many lifelong dog and cat companions, Helga requested that donations be made to the Doris Day Animal League, the Humane Society or any dog/cat rescue organization of your choice.