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First President of the Paradise Valley Chamber of Commerce will always be with us and loved for here passion for others as a civic and community leader and friend.
 Pugh, Helen
The world lost an eternal optimist Monday with the passing of Helen Pedersen (nie: Leach) Pugh. Helen was born in Tuolumne, CA to Gladys Zumwalt and Christian Edward Pedersen, spending her youth in Berkeley, CA and attending UC Berkeley. She married D. Gordon Leach and they share four children. Helen and Gordon moved to Arizona in 1958, settling in Scottsdale, and their marriage ended after 19 years. Several years later, Helen married Howard B. Pugh. They spent 30 fun-filled years traveling and following their personal pursuits, which for Helen included involvement with her real estate practice and mentoring other agents, business consulting, writing and spending time with family and her many friends in the U.S. and abroad. Helen was an active community leader, involved in organizations such as the Phoenix Rotary 100, the Rotary Club of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley Toastmasters Club and Cactus Wren Republican Women, just to name a few. Helen was predeceased by her parents, husband Howard and granddaughter Nicole. She is survived by her four children: Catherine Collier (Doug), Steve Leach (Jacquie), Matt Leach (Kim), Ginnie Schmitt (Tim), 11 grandchildren: Adam and Christine Collier; Brandon Leach; Amanda, Spencer, Christian, Ann and Henry Leach; Michael, Julia and James Schmitt, one great-grandson, Julian, and a sister, Leah Haygood. A celebration of Helen's life will be held Friday, April 15, 10:30 a.m. at Scottsdale Bible Chapel, 7901 E. Shea Blvd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arizona Cancer Center, http://www.azcc.arizona.edu/giving/how. Arrangements by Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, Scottsdale.
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Helen what a lady and a great friend. We met in 1988, I was just out of the Navy and starting my first business and we hit it off. She opened my eyes to a greater world of assisting others with their passions. Her love and care for others was so easy to see for me. "Howard, your dance partner is back. Boy, did she miss you old friend." I am proud to say Helen Pugh was my closes friend. I will miss my friend. M. Kameron Hawkins - Chairman & Founder (Paradise Valley, AZ)
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