Helen Ballantyne

Helen Kristina, our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, nanny, and friend passed away with family by her side on September 12, 2021, in Boise, Idaho as a result of complications from an infection. Helen, known in her childhood as Kris, was born in Boise on January 18, 1964, and was proudly adopted into the fold of the Ballantyne clan. She attended St. Mark’s Elementary, Lowell Scott Junior High, Meridian High School (’83), and Boise State University. Out of high school she headed to the east coast to work as a nanny and thrived in her work. She returned to Boise in 1989 and continued on as a nanny and maintained ties with her charges up to the present. She then attended BSU and worked at JCPenney where her clients came to be spoiled by her great service. Helen finally moved on to the hospitality industry and became a friendly, familiar face for many a traveler. Despite the physical pain she endured, Helen worked hard and developed lasting, meaningful relationships, which she loved to celebrate. Upon entering her apartment, it didn’t take long to realize what she valued most in life; her bookshelves and refrigerator were loaded with photos of the people she cared for. She especially celebrated her wealth of nieces, nephews, and great nephew – they really knew how much she cherished them! Helen also cherished her time at the family cabin at Cascade Lake – retreating from work, swinging in her hammock, and reading a good book. Her earthly body failed her too soon and we were shocked by the suddenness of her passing, but we are grateful that her suffering is over and honor her memory as a beautiful, caring, strong, generous, and loved woman. Helen is survived by her mother, Mary Ballantyne; siblings, Janet (Jeffrey) Liston of Boise, John Ballantyne of Donnelly, Michael (Brenda) Ballantyne of Eagle, Beth Ballantyne of Eugene, Oregon; nieces, Sara and Emma; nephews, Justin (Shannon), Alex (Emma), John J (Kaylee), Langdon and Ian; great nephew, Oliver. She is preceded in death by her father, James H. Ballantyne Jr. ; brother, Jimmy; uncle, Barton, and four grandparents. Arrangements made through Accent Funeral Home.