Helen Nancy DeSoto, of Oxnard, California, age 84, went home to be with her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, in the morning of Thursday, January 12, 2023 at a local assisted-living home. Helen was born in San Diego, California on December 18, 1938 to her parents, Edgar Clifford Stock and Nancy Marie Storey.
Helen married Robert DeSoto on October 12, 1958 in Santa Clara, California. She was a homemaker, loving wife and stay-at-home mother to their five children. Helen accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 16 and loved the Lord. She enjoyed prayer, reading her Bible and faithfully attended church. She enjoyed singing songs & hymns with the beautiful voice God gave her. She was an artist & loved to draw and was certified in home interior decorating. She loved creating stitchery pictures, sewing and was an accomplished seamstress. She was known for being detailed and faithful in remembering birthdays of family, friends and even those she had only met briefly. She was the most giving person and loved to serve others. In her later years, she loved to go on adventures in the car and shopping at Walmart where she often snuck things in the cart. Her contagious smile and laugh was noticed by all.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert DeSoto since January, 1987, and remained a widow the rest of her life; and by her parents, Edgar Clifford Stock and Nancy Marie Stock, and her youngest sister, Jackie Arnold – all of California. She is survived by her five children: son, Thomas DeSoto (wife Deanna) of Ventura, California; daughter, Naomi Breckley of Moorpark, California; daughter, Deborah Mertens (widow of Robert S. Mertens) of Greenwood, Arkansas; son, David DeSoto (Shirley Dancel) of California; and daughter, Kathryn Beliveau (husband Richard Beliveau) of Sparks, Nevada.
She is blessed with eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Erin Breckley (Matthew, Noah, Anthony); Jason Breckley – (Owen, Jaxon, Norrie); Seth Mertens; Michael Bo Mertens; Jonathan DeSoto; Shyanne DeSoto; Michael Beliveau; and Amber Beliveau-Laughon – (Liv, Eve). She is also survived by one sister, Dorothy Hull, of Corbett, Oregon; one niece, Edie Arnold, as well as multiple cousins on her father’s side as he was one of 23 Stock children.
Service under direction of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, located at 757 East Main Street in Ventura, California is set for Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Viewing and visitation with family is from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by the Memorial Service at 1:00 PM in the chapel. Her son, Tom DeSoto is officiating minister. Guests are invited to attend a luncheon gathering directly following the service at Helen's Church, Landmark Missionary Baptist Church located at 1113 East Main Street, Ventura, California, just a few blocks away from the funeral home. Thank you for sharing the celebration of Helen's Life with Jesus with her family.
Burial will be the following day in a private, family gathering at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California, where she will be laid to rest with her husband.