Helen Eilleen Klein

Our beloved mother Helen Eilleen Klein, passed away on November 29th, 2014 in Bremerton, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer disease, she was 87. Born to Guy and Ione Rogers and survived by sons John, James, Jerome, Joseph, and daughter Jennifer Klein, along with 2 grandchildren Nickolas and Katelyn.

Mom spent 33 “wonderful years” with Dad and she had a true devolution to her family.

Daughter Jennifer has many fond memories of Mom and wanted to share this “ I want to tell you about an amazing woman, My Mom. She and I used to enjoy walks together. We always talked about everything and I cherish every walk and memory I have of her. She loved to laugh, I got that from her.

My favorite memory is when Mom used to get me up in the morning for school. She would sing me awake by singing “get up, get out of bed, wake up you sleepy head, bringing a smile to my face, lol.

Mom was a wonderful Mother and I cherish the memories that I have of her. I miss her and love her so much”.

Mom’s spent her early years in Oregon, and because of family needs, she wasn’t able to finish school. She told us that her family needed her and she always put family first.

Married to her beloved husband John Klein for 33 years, but because of colon cancer their years were cut short, but together they had five kids, calling Bremerton their home for the past 40 years. Some of our fondest family memories were traveling up and down the coasts of Washington and Oregon. As long as we were all together, that was what mattered most to our Mom and us!

At the age of 68 our mother studied and received her GED. She was very proud of this accomplishment! She promised our dad she was going to do this and she did, walking to Olympic College without a complaint.

Mom was very much a people person and enjoyed socializing at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church where she made many lifelong friends. The good people from church would remember her for writing “Senior Report” which she enjoyed reciting, and handing out many copies to friends.

Mom loved her family and when our dad was sick and in the hospital, she stayed faithfully next to his side day and night until the end. And when Mom’s sister’s family suffered a tragedy Mom was right there helping, to this day they fondly refer to Mom as their favorite Aunt!

Mom loved to walk as well; she was always able and willing. I, Jerome, remember taking many walks with her, she never tired either, and while walking kids would yell to her “hey peppermint candy lady”. Mom would stop, turn, smiling ear to ear, passing out their favorite candies to them. She loved that!

Mom also loved to walk Lion’s Field, she used to pass younger people on the pathway and people would look at her in amazement. And on several occasions people would come up to me saying that our Mom was “cool”!

Mom taught us many valuable lessons as well, mainly, to treat people as we would like to be treated, always pay your bills, and to count your blessings. She always had a smile on her face and the best attitude, and boy could she laugh. One Christmas she’d play with her first grandchild for hours, tossing the beach ball back and forth, laughing the whole time!

In her later years she was not able to walk and she was in bed for many years, she took this all in stride, she kept a positive attitude the whole time and every caregiver and nurse said how nice she was. In fact one of Mom’s favorite caregiver, Amanda even called her “Mama”!

Needing help while in bed Mom have many caregivers and in all that time I never heard her say a cross word about anyone, although, one time when one of her caregivers, who was very musical, was playing a flute for her, mom told her politely “hey you, knock it off” and later mom asked me “not to encourage her”. Lol.

She was truly truly a special and unique person, and we find peace that she’s with her beloved husband in heaven, hand and hand once again.

Our caring Mom will be forever missed.