Pat Helvey was born in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania to a family of 13 in rural Depression Era times. She came West in the 1950's with her sister, Maggie. The two worked in Yellowstone Park and met their would-be husbands: two wrangling cowboys.

Years later, after becoming one of the first single mother's to pursue a degree at Montana State, Pat became an elementary teacher. Her first teaching post was in Juneau, Alaska She also taught in various towns throughout Montana.

Pat received an art teaching endorsement in 1978. When teaching at CR Anderson in Helena, Pat held a Masters Degree in Art. She was involved with the teachers union.

Pat always loved the outdoors and became an advocate for wildlife and Native American people. She spent a lot of time at her Blue Cloud cabin and bought two separate sections of land in rural areas. Her sons built her a modern cabin with solar power.

In her retirement, Pat continued her art and published works of bucolic fiction and Native designs, a solar energy handbook. She gave a home to some wonderful stray cats and volunteered for the East Helena Library.

Pat is survived by her sons John and Curtis, her daughter Angela. Also her daughter in law Kathy Rather- Helvey, grandkids Sirsa and Isaac Helvey, Joshua Wallace. Also many relatives back East.