Gala May Frazee Helfrich, age 69, completed her life's journey on July 9th, 2008 at home in Topeka, Kansas after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Gala was born to Juanita and William F. Frazee on May 14, 1939 in Las Animas, Colorado. Gala received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Business Education from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, where she was the lead trombonist for the Adams State Top of the Nation Band. Her professional career included teaching music at Coolidge Elementary, Middle and High School from 1962-1965 and Syracuse Elementary School from 1973-1983. Gala married the love of her life, John L. Jack Helfrich on August 21, 1965 in Syracuse, Kansas. The marriage was blessed with the birth of a son, Anthony Garrett (Tony) on September 22, 1966, and a daughter, Marcia Jean on December 2, 1968. Gala was an active member, organist, and choir director at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Syracuse, Kansas for many years. Gala was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Leo, Clyde, and Francis Frazee, and her husband Jack who died on June 24, 1987. She is survived by her son Tony, daughter Marcia Blair and son-in-law Jud, two grandsons, Jordan and Braden Blair, all of Topeka, Kansas. She is also survived by one brother, Merle Frazee of Eads, Colorado, one brother-in-law, Richard Helfrich of Coolidge, Kansas, 4 sisters-in-law: Betty Frazee and Margaret Frazee of Eads, Colorado, Peggy Helfrich of Placitas, New Mexico and Nancy McBride of Holcomb, Kansas, and countless relatives and friends.


A mass and memorial service were held on Saturday, July 19th at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Syracuse, Kansas with an inurnment ceremony immediately following at Hamilton County Cemetery.


The family requests that memorial donations be made to either The American Cancer Society or Catholic Community Hospice in Topeka .