ic in Detroit, where she met Edgar. She and Edgar were married in Rome
o. They were involved in music all their lives, singing in churches, lead
ing choirs and teaching voice. In 1913 they moved to Spokane, Washingto
n, where Edgar became a full-time voice teacher. In 1938 they moved to L
os Angeles, California, and he taught there until his death in 1941. Amo
ng his pupils, was John Raitt, the famous musical comedy star, Helen bei
ng his accompanist. In fact, she accompanied him on his first radio broad
cast. Helen had the extreme pleasure of hearing him in "Oklahoma" at t
he Kenley Playhouse in Warren, Ohio -- when she was 92 years old. Mr. Rai
tt had the spotlights put on her and she recieved an ovation from the fu
ll house of about 4,500 people. Then at 95 or 96 she went to Clevela
nd to hear him in "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever". The summer aft
er she was 100 she was able to return to Warren to hear him in "Camelot
".

On her 100th birthday, there was a dinner and party held in Salem in her h
onor. One of the gifts given to her by a close friend "as a symbol of h
er eternal youth" was a yellow polka dot bikini. She never had an opportu
nity to wear it.

Helen and Edgar were the parents of four children.

Helen Rowley Kennedy was our oldest known living relative. She lived 1
04 years 8 months and 15days.