Helen Relyea

Helen Relyea, 90, peacefully passed away while napping in Phoenix, Ariz. on the morning of September 5, 2023, 16 days from celebrating her 91st birthday. She was born September 21, 1932, in Waterbury, Conn., and grew up in Middlebury, Conn.



Helen lived in Aguila, Ariz. at Eagle Roost Airpark for 34 years with her beloved husband of 62 years, Peter Morris Relyea. They moved to Phoenix to be closer to family – Peter passed away in December 2013.



Prior to the family’s move to Arizona, Helen assisted her husband in running the family business X-Tra Beverages, a soft drink company, in Wolcott, Conn. with help from their children.



She is survived by four children Stephen Relyea (Arizona), Diane Linn (Arizona), Johanna Weir (Indiana), and Paul Relyea (Texas); seven grandchildren Kevin Linn, Kimberly Linn, and Mike Relyea of Arizona, Travis Relyea and Bryan Relyea of Texas; and Christopher Relyea and Jennifer Relyea of Connecticut; and five great-grandchildren, all in Arizona.



Helen is preceded in death by her mother Helen Hickcox Benson, father Ernest William Benson, brother Howard Raynor Benson and granddaughter Megan Deanna Relyea.



Wickenburg Funeral Home & Crematory handled the arrangements and a closed private service for immediate family was recently held. If desired, donations may be made to Hospice of the West in Phoenix, Ariz., which cared for Helen in her final months.