Yakima – Helen Wynn, 93, of Yakima and formerly of Port Hadlock, WA, went to her rest with family by her side on Monday, January 24, 2011, at Highgate Senior Living.
Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Helen was born April 16, 1917 in Riverside, CA, to Harry and Myrtle Stinchfield. A “good-looking blond,” she met her future husband, John Wynn, at a dance in Camp Curry, Yosemite National Park. He later joined her at UCLA, where she graduated in 1940. She began her teaching career in small desert towns in Southern California. She married John in 1942 and, upon his return from the service in 1947, moved to Big Bear Lake, CA. A devoted wife and mother, teaching continued to be an important part of Helen’s life, as she followed her husband’s career to Los Angeles and Davis, CA. Family vacations included camping in Yosemite, at the beach, and in the Redwoods, backpacking in the Marble Mountains, and cruising the Sacramento River Delta in a small sailboat.
After retirement, Helen and John lived in Hiroshima and Singapore and traveled throughout Asia and Europe, before settling in Port Hadlock. They created a cozy log home where they entertained family and friends from around the world. They became fully immersed in the community, establishing close friendships and enjoying Community Concerts, the theater, beach-combing, and the Unitarian Church. Helen also was proud to be a Cabin Fever Quilter.
Helen will best be remembered for her beautiful smile and kind heart. She was a dear friend and a talented teacher, knitter, and seamstress. She cherished her role as “Granny” and her grandchildren thought the world of her.
Helen is survived by her two daughters, Sara (Del) Rankin, of Yakima, and Mary (Henry) Snyder, of Pittsburgh, PA, three grandchildren, Sean and Wynn Rankin and Hannah Snyder, and three nephews in California. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of nearly 55 years and her brother, Elmer Stinchfield.
The family would like to express deep appreciation to the staffs at The Ponderosa and Highgate Senior Living, Dr. Gayle Smith, and Helen’s Hospice team from Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital.
A celebration of Helen’s life will take place later in the year. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the charity of your choice in care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home. For online guest book and to celebrate the life of Helen visit www.keithandkeith.com.
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