Helen Henrietta Turner

December 20, 1927 to February 7, 2017

Helen Henrietta Plowman Turner died on February 7, 2017 at the Lynnwood, Washington adult family home where she resided for a year with her husband William (Bill) Turner. She was 89 years old.

Helen was born on December 20, 1927 in Vancouver, Washington to Charles and Angelina Plowman. She and older sister, Lillie, grew up on a farm homesteaded in 1910 by her grandparents, Erwin Charles (EC) and Adelaide Pomeroy. She graduated from Battleground High School in 1945 and attended college at Washington State College (now WSU) in Pullman, Washington. On June 12, 1948, at the age of 20, Helen married her childhood sweetheart, Bill Turner. The happy couple spent that summer honeymooning in the lookout on Granite Mountain near Snoqualmie Pass. The following year in 1949, Helen graduated from college with a teaching degree. She started teaching Home Economics at Colton High School, while Bill finished his degree at WSC. After college Bill was inducted in the army and Helen joined him while he was stationed in France.

Bill and Helen returned home after his service and lived on the farm with her parents. Later they moved to Vancouver, Washington. Helen was caretaker to her sister’s three children, Leonard, Jane and Martha. In 1959 they welcomed their daughter Angilee. Daughter Charlene was born in 1962. In 1967 the family moved to Mountlake Terrace, Washington and then in 1969 they moved to Sultan, Washington where they lived until recently.

Helen was active in the Sultan community serving on the Library board for 32 years and the Historical Society. She was also active in Eastern Star. She was an avid collector of antiques and treasures found all over the northwest. She and Bill enjoyed vacationing in Idaho where they hunted rocks.

In her later years, Helen found great joy in spending time with those she loved and was considered a devoted mother, aunt, grandmother and family member by many more than just her blood relations. She was well loved by her family, her husband of 68 years and all who knew her. She will be remembered for her laugh, smile and tight hugs.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Lillie Plowman (Leonard Sr.) Freese. She is survived by her husband Bill; daughters Angilee (Lyle) Couey and Charlene (Guy) Thomas; grandchildren Erin Couey, Ryan Couey, Garret Thomas, and Jarek (Fiancé Eliza) Thomas. Her many nieces and nephews including Leonard (Cheryl) Freese Jr., Jane (Bob) Brink, Martha (Matt) Todd, and Sherrie (Andy) Sommers (who have done so much for Helen & Bill for many, many years) and all their children/grandchildren; many more from the Turner family and her very special “adopted” daughter Deanna (Richard deceased) Rode and their children Melissa and John. Special thanks to Kidist and Bob at Maple Adult Family Home.

A memorial service will be held in Kirkland, Washington March 4, 2017 at 11:00 at Inglewood Presbyterian Church, 7718 NE 141st St., Kirkland WA 98034. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be sent to the Humane Society or Pomeroy Living History Farm (pomeroyfarm.org).