Helena Alicea Thompson, a loving daughter, wife and mother, passed away August 19th, 2025. She was 57. Born March 29th, 1968, daughter of John and Louise Stevens. Helena, affectionately known as Lena, was the oldest of three children.

Lena was born in Pasadena, California and grew up in northern California and the Boulder, Colorado area.

She received her undergraduate degree in International Business with an emphasis on Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She obtained a Master’s Degree in International Business and an MBA simultaneously from George Washington University in Washington D.C. She spoke fluent Spanish and was conversational in Portuguese and French.

One of Lena’s first professional positions was with the US Government where she was a lead translator during the negotiations with Mexico on NAFTA. After finishing her role with NAFTA she relocated to Dallas Texas. There she met and married Richard Michael Thompson on October 11th, 2003. The couple welcomed two sons to the world, Richard Michael Jr. and William James.

Lena had a rich career and worked for many years ultimately retiring from the City of Dallas, Texas. Positions she held at the City of Dallas included Program Manager for the Office of International Affairs, Office of the Mayor’s Office, Program Manager for the Streets Department and finally Program Manager for Dallas, Love Field. After retiring Lena started a second career as a Program Manager for the Veteran’s Administration. In her role at the Office of International Affairs for the City, Helena was the first person in Dallas to be awarded the prestigious American Marshall Memorial Fellowship from the German Marshall Fund, a three week cross-cultural fellowship through Europe.

Lena was a woman of intelligence, grace and class. She was well traveled having visited India, China, Europe, Central and South America, many places in North America as well as Africa. She loved decorating her home and working in the garden. Lena loved long walks, bicycle rides and snow skiing. Lena had a very pleasant demeanor and was exceedingly kind, non-pretentious and loved a good conversation.

Lena’s spirit and character were admirable during her long fight with cancer. She always kept a positive spirit and fought the disease like no other.

She departed this life here on earth on August 19th 2025. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Lena is survived by her husband, Rick and sons Richard and William, Murphy, TX; her parents John and Louise Stevens, Perry Park, CO; Brother Gerald (Kelly) Stevens, Ventura, CA; Brother Sean (Liz) Stevens, Washington D.C. and many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Memorial service will be held Monday, September 8th at 2:30 PM at Perkins Chapel, SMU, Dallas, TX. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Helena’s name to the Salvation Army.

https://give.salvationarmytexas.org/give/171647/#!/donation/checkout