Helen Katherine Dunn was born on August 10th, 1938 in Visalia, California. She was the daughter of Frank and Dionicia Salcedo and was next to the youngest of five sisters in a family of eleven siblings. As a teenager Helen worked at the candy counter of the local Fox Movie Theater. She also played tennis and was active in drama in high school and college. Helen studied to be a beautician and performed these duties off and on for 46 years. 

Helen was the loving mother of five children - Steven Paul, Michael Craig (now deceased), Kenneth Lloyd, John Keith, and Catrina Fay. During most of the 1970's Helen lived with her five children in Bloomington, Indiana where she worked at the RCA television plant. Helen returned to California in 1979 with Catrina and John. She also returned to her original profession, now called "cosmetology". She worked in and managed various hair solons until her retirement.

During her retirement years, Helen remained an active supporter of the less fortunate. She regularly donated food or money to local food kitchens. She also loved to take long walks. Helen collected antiques and trinkets at flea markets and antique stores.

Helen was preceded in death by three of her brothers Raul, Frank Jr., and Manuel Salcedo and by her sister Irene Street. Besides her children, Helen or "Kathy" is survived by her companion of 25 years Ralph "Tony" Papa of Oxnard. Her three surviving sisters include Rachel Galloway of Bakersfield,  Ann Gann and Emma Jean O'Brien, both of Visalia. Helen's surviving brothers include Bobby Saledo of northern California, Jessie Salcedo of Loma Linda and John Salcedo of Northridge. She is also survived by seven grandchildren three great-grandchildren, and more nieces, nephews and greats than can be counted in one sitting.