Helen Mohea Warnica, 91, passed from this life on Nov. 18, 2019 in Portales.
She was born Feb. 3, 1928 in Ashland, OK to the home of Hazel Mohea (Goode) and Marvin Eugene Christian. The family moved to Portales in 1931, and this remained her home for remainder of her life. While in high school, Helen was active in Rainbow for Girls. Mrs. Warnica was the Valedictorian of the class of 1946 at Portales High School. On December 22, 1946, she was married to James Milton Warnica at the First United Methodist Church in Portales.
Mrs. Warnica earned a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s Degree and an Ed. Specialist degree from Eastern New Mexico University and began her teaching career at Portales Junior High School in the fall of 1965. She began the Remedial Reading Program there, and taught Reading and English until her retirement in 1986. In the summers, Helen taught in the Upward Bound Program at Eastern.
She and her husband belonged to the Portales Country Club where she enjoyed playing golf. Mrs. Warnica was an avid fisherwoman, and enjoyed countless trips to area lakes. She was an excellent dancer, and a wonderful cook. Among family favorites were her Swiss steak, and Mexican food as well her wonderful pies and deserts.
She is survived by Jim Warnica, her husband of nearly 73 years; a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Michelle Warnica of Amarillo, TX; a daughter, Terry Warnica of Portales; six grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her only brother, Orphane Christian.
At her request there will not be a service, but friends are welcome to visit the family at their home.
