Helen McKenna Marie Marcille

(Age 92)

Helen was born to John and Anna McKenna on August 2, 1918 in Deer Lodge County and passed away on October 1, 2010 at Sullivan Park Care Center in the Spokane Valley. She is survived by her daughter, Janice Kempf and sons, John Marcille and Don Marcille, as well as grandchildren, Justin, Jeffrey, Donnie, Doug and Christina, and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; three sisters, Mildred, Nora, and Evelyn and her brother, Clarence. Helen learned many values as a child growing up during the Great Depression that she carried with her throughout her life. On June 19, 1940 she married Bill Marcille in Anaconda, Montana. They celebrated fifty one years of marriage before his passing in 1991. Helen was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for 60 years where she was very active in the parish for much of her life. She was a member of the Garden Club, Alter Society and Phoenix club, just to name a few, and she volunteered her time for many social events and activities associated with the parish. Helen is also a past member of the Lady Elks Club and the Eagles Ladies Auxillary. While Bill was serving overseas during World War II, Helen moved to Seattle and worked at Boeing Airfield on the production line for the B17. The many women who worked at Boeing during this period were given the task of using rivet guns to assist in the building of this “Flying Fortress”. Hence, the name “Rosy the Riveter” was given to these production line workers. On more than one occasion Helen would tell the story of that day in 1945 when the breaking news was announced that the war was over. For “Rosy the Riveter” this meant their loved ones were coming home. Some of Helen’s favorite activities were gardening, boating, camping, dancing with Bill, traveling and ocean cruises, but nothing was more important to her than her family. She was also a Seattle Mariners fan and always had her best friend over to watch the Zags. Helen was an amazing woman who devoted her life to caring for her family and will be deeply missed by many. The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Sullivan Park Care Center and to the Hospice of Spokane for their kindness and care to Helen.