Jul 1, 1914 - May 11, 1997

Lifelong Claremont resident Helen Frampton Burwell Criley died at her home at Claremont Manor on Mother's Day, May 11, 1997. Mrs. Criley, who was 83, had visited with various members of her family in honor of the occasion during the day.

Born in Claremont on July 1, 1914, the then Helen Frampton, daughter of Mendal and Marian Frampton - her father was head of the English department at Pomona College - grew up in the family home at Harvard Avenue and Tenth Street. She attended Sycamore Elementary School and was a 1931 graduate of Claremont High School. After graduating from Pomona College

in 1935, she was married to Laurence Burwell. Mr. Burwell, who was with Kaiser Steel, died in 1968.

Mrs. Criley taught school for a number of years in Covina before her marriage in 1972 to Theodore Criley, the architect who designed Claremont United Church of Christ, Congregational. Mr. Criley died in 1984. Mrs. Criley lived on Via Padova in Padua Hills for a number of years. She had a stroke in 1987 and the following year moved to Claremont Manor.

In her younger years, Mrs. Criley enjoyed skiing and horseback riding. She relished traveling, particularly in California, and was noted for her knowledge of “every highway and byway in California.” She was also a “flower person," according to her family.

Marguerite McIntosh was a Padua Hills neighbor for a number of years. "Helen was such a darling. She was a pleasure to be with at all times - very youthful - always very active in sports. She always had a youthful spirit and was always concerned about other people,” Mrs. McIntosh recalled.

Carol Schiff was a longtime friend as well. "I miss her. We all had birthdays right around the same time - Mel and I and Ted and Helen – she was a lady of great eIegance and great dignity, but was a fun person. She found pleasure in the smallest flower. She just enjoyed everything," Mrs. Schiff reflected.

Mrs. Criley is survived  by her son and daughter-in-law, T. StanIey and Judy Burwell of Los Gatos; by her son, Robert Burwell of Claremont; by her sister, Calista Frampton Davenport of Portland; and by her grandchildren, Laurie Burwell of Los Angeles, Nicole Burwell of Riverside, Aaron Burwell of Vail, CoIorado, and Megan Burwell of Glendale.

The Rev. Homer D. Henderson officiated at services for Mrs. Criley on Friday, May 16, 1991 at Claremont United Church of Christ, Congregational. Commitment was by the Neptune Society.

Memorial contributions may be made to Casa Colina or to Claremont Manor.