Karen Helliesen Kershaw

Karen Helliesen Kershaw, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and advocate for children's welfare, died on June 13, 2024. Born on November 25, 1938, in Yakima to Harold S. and Helen (Hardy) Helliesen, she left a legacy of service and love.

She enjoyed a carefree childhood on South 16th Avenue, developing her much-admired athletic prowess playing kick the can, baseball, and basketball games with her older brother Harry and the neighborhood kids at Roosevelt Grade School.

Karen attended high school in Tacoma as a boarder at the Annie Wright Seminary, graduating in 1957. She excelled in the academically rigorous environment and nurtured a lifelong distaste for authority figures. Only her innocent smile and persuasive charm prevented her expulsion after being caught smoking cigarettes. She was presented at the 1957 Christmas Ball in Seattle.

Karen graduated from the University of Washington in 1961 and made many friends in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Reflecting on her choice of major, she explained that women had three choices: nursing, education, or sociology. She fainted at the sight of blood and hated construction paper, leaving sociology as the only viable option. In the end, it was a lucky choice. She found her calling to work with children and families.

She married Robert (Bob) Kershaw in Yakima on December 2, 1961. The same year, Karen began her career as a social worker for Child Protective Services. Her time as a twenty-two-year-old social worker in Yakima's lower valley shaped her values and career. Karen often reflected on how fortunate she was to have been raised by parents who cherished her and encouraged her every endeavor. This gratitude fueled her dedication to ensuring that the children and families she worked with had the opportunity to succeed, just as she had.

Forty years later, Governor Locke wrote her a letter thanking her for her service and passing on the gratitude of a former six-year-old client. "When Mrs. Kershaw came for home visits, she showered me with hugs and kisses and gave me a genuine sense that everything would be o.k. She left me with the only good and happy memories of my childhood. I have not seen Karen since I was eight years old, but I want the world to know that she made a positive impact on a little girl and possibly saved her life. She truly deserves recognition for her life's work."

Karen received many accolades, awards, and honors throughout her career at Planned Parenthood, Memorial Hospital, and as the visionary, and founding director of Children's Village. Children’s Village remained one of her proudest achievements.

However, her favorite job was mom to Kristin and Robert. She wasn't a fan of Dr. Spock or anyone with a condescending tone, for that matter, so she trusted her instincts and led by example. She challenged her children to take risks, learn from their mistakes, be responsible, and be kind. And what an example she was.

If Karen was a great mother to Robert and Kristin, she was an even better grandmother to Charlie, Allie, Robby, and Ryan. She kept every card and art project they made for her. She delighted in babysitting them while their parents went on vacation. She always maintained that grandchildren were more fun without their parents around. She took them on trips together and individually. She nurtured their talents with great devotion. In her mind, they were all perfect. When told by her former husband that some of her grandchildren had less than perfect manners, she promptly invited the offenders to spend a week at the beach attending Nana’s "manners camp." Everyone wanted to go to "manners camp" after that summer. Nana made everything more fun, more colorful, and more exciting.

Karen was equally devoted to the Yakima community. She was a board member of Yakima Town Hall, the Capitol Theater, Planned Parenthood, the Florence Wight Guild, and the Junior League. Her social skills were legendary. Whether hosting Henry Kissinger for dinner or coloring on the floor with a client in foster care, she could talk to anyone on almost any subject: children, dogs, Democrats; she dazzled them all.

After the birth of her second grandchild in 1999, Karen moved to Seattle. She served on the board of Jubilee Women's Center and was a member of the Sunset Club. She reconnected with many old college friends and developed a wide circle of new friends. In 2011, a college sorority sister introduced her to William Wurts.

"Billy Boy," as she liked to call him, gave her some of the happiest years of her life. He made her blue eyes sparkle every time he walked into a room. They traveled the world and wore out nearly every band on every cruise ship with their dancing. Having a combined total of eight years of high school chapel attendance, they were the stars of every choir. He matched her equally in charm, style, good looks, and kindness. Their love and devotion to each other set a very high bar.

Her children, Robert (Rachelle) Kershaw and Kristin (Joe) Snapp, survive her. Her grandchildren, Robby and Ryan Kershaw and Charlie and Allie Snapp, who brought immense joy and pride to her life, Karen's brothers, Harry (Jackie) Helliesen and Henry (Florence) Helliesen, and her cherished partner, Bill Wurts, also survive her.

Karen Helliesen Kershaw's legacy is one of love, kindness, and unwavering commitment to others. She will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held to honor her memory at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 4105 Richey Road, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024. A reception will follow. Remembrances may be made to Children's Village, the Yakima YWCA Capital Campaign or Jubilee Women’s Center, continuing Karen's lifelong mission of helping those in need.