Helen Lucille Hansen passed away Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in her home of 71 years with her son by her side. She was born April 28, 1916, in Chehalis in a home on Market Street, at the end of the city limits where the Safeway parking lot is now. Helen’s parents were Rolfe Raymond and Della Amanda (Terhune) Francisco. She was a fourth generation Chehalan and a descendant of the colonial families of Francisco and Terhune.
Helen attended Cascade Elementary the first year it was open and walked from home to school and back. She attended RE Bennett Junior High School the second year it was open. Helen was a member of the honor society while she attended Chehalis High School and graduated in 1934.
She married the love of her life, Irving Martenus Hansen May 19, 1938, in Chehalis. Helen first saw Irving while she was living in her Market Street home, as he walked from his farm house to the Chehalis High School. Later while in high school, her family moved to her grandparent’s property after their death and she was now a country neighbor to Irving. They were a perfect match and there was no one else for her.
Helen was a widow for over 41 years, and now, both are united in heaven. Irving could maintain and fix anything around the house and she could cook and run the household. As a family, there were many memories made on camping trips with relatives and the pogie club. Irving maintained a garden and together the family would can and freeze for the future. She was known for her pies. At family gatherings with siblings and cousins, they all wanted to know what pies she brought so they were sure to get a piece. Helen was an accomplished seamstress, first sewing for herself and family and then for many from Seattle to Portland. She loved to find a bargain piece of material and then make something out of it. Helen was referred to as classy by many because of her talent and taste. Someone would come to her with a dress they wanted copied and she made her own pattern with adjustments as needed. Many she took shopping with her to help them pick out the material that was best. Helen sewed some camouflage covers for cameras that were used to take pictures in the wild and were published in the National Geographic Magazine.
She encouraged getting a college education, something that was not possible for her. Helen was a patron of the local library since her childhood, reading books by her favorite authors along with materials for her children. Her grandchildren thought it would be a good idea to give her an iPad for Christmas. At age 102, she was still using it to research and could quote the current price of Microsoft stock. Although Helen had slowed down, she could still manage many aspects of her own life. She made out her shopping lists, clipped coupons and knew when something was a good price. Helen seemed to never age and looked younger than her years. She was beautiful on the outside and on the inside. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Edith Richardson, Ethel Jarman, Leland Francisco, Adeline Richardson, Myrtle Paulsen, Raymond Francisco and Edwin Francisco.
She is survived by her three children, Kerry (Dixie) Hansen of Bremerton, Sandra (Chuck) Aweeka of Seattle and Ritchie Hansen in the family home; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m., Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at the First Christian Church, 111 NW Prindle St., Chehalis, with refreshments and a burial to follow at Claquato Cemetery. Services are in the care of Brown Mortuary, www.BrownMortuary.com.
