Helen Marie Valentine

Helen Marie Valentine was born on March 21, 1924 in Spokane Washington to John and Sarah Pandelis. Helen was the first child in the family of five children which included her sisters Dorothy, Lois, Joanne and brother John, Jr. Her father John left his homeland of Greece in 1909 and immigrated to the USA. Helen’s Greek heritage was a meaningful part of her family even today.

Helen grew up in Spokane, Washington and graduated in from North Central High School in January 1942. She completed high school in 3 ½ years and was the top honor roll student. She was also part of North Central’s Associated Student council. She was an excellent student, but also caught the eye of young Merrill Valentine. They fell in love and were married on July 21, 1942 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. As WWII broke out Merrill enlisted in the Navy as an aviation mechanic. His duties took him to various stations in the Pacific Northwest but eventually he was permanently stationed in Pasco, Washington where Helen was able to join him. In addition to taking care of the home front, Helen worked as a civilian at the local Army base doing secretarial work. Eventually Merrill was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945 and they relocated back to Spokane to be near family.

Soon Helen’s role expanded to that of mother as Merrill and Helen welcomed two children into their family. Their son Dennis was born in 1946 and their daughter Terrie in 1958. In 1961 the Valentine’s relocated to the Beaverton, Oregon area due to a new job opportunity for Merrill. Shortly after arriving in Beaverton, the family moved into a new home in Beaverton where they would reside the next 52 years.

Helen took pride in her home and especially the large yard that they always kept well maintained. She spent hours tending to the garden, especially the many types of flowering shrubs and roses that were well admired by the neighbors. When she wasn’t busy taking care of the garden, Helen assisted Merrill in his Portland Glove franchise business by keeping the books and records, a job she was well suited to because of her attention to detail. Helen was a wonderful seamstress, sewing clothing for herself, children and grandchildren. Other hobbies that she enjoyed and mastered included needlepoint, embroidery, knitting and crocheting. She specially enjoyed creating baby sweaters, bonnets & booties for her grandchildren and great grandchildren which are now precious heirlooms to her family.

Helen’s other interests included playing the piano, singing in the Beaverton Christian Church Prime Time choir, accompanying Merrill on one of their many camping trips, playing pinochle & traveling to Europe, Africa and USA destinations.

Family was always a priority to Helen. She enjoyed cooking for the family especially at birthdays and holidays. She loved to try new recipes, canned peaches & pears, made applesauce & jams, grew some vegetables and rhubarb. She especially loved to cook Greek recipes including Baklava pastry. The table was always set with lovely dishes, crystal, cloth napkins & fresh flowers from her garden. Helen received a camera on her 16th birthday and has enjoyed documenting these gathering with her trusty camera. She labeled, dated & maintained numerous photo albums even up until her death. It was obvious Helen loved her family and cherished the times together.

Being a Christian and part of a local church was also important to Helen. She accepted the Lord as her Savior and was baptized at age 18. She and Merrill were members of Beaverton Christian Church since 1961…over 50 years! As a Christian her faith in the Lord was demonstrated by the many ways in which she served: Pre-school Sunday School teacher, Women’s Dorcas Group, Missions Committee and hosting Bible study groups in their home. Her commitment to the Lord was an example to all.

Helen is survived by son Dennis and wife Jane, daughter Terrie and husband Dan, 6 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was a devoted wife for 73 years and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lived her life well by loving the Lord, her family and others. She was loved and will be greatly missed!