Obituary of Helen Louise Abetz

Helen Louise Abetz July 19, 1930-November 30, 2009 Helen grew up on McKinley Hill with her parents Russell (Dewey) and Emma J. Ryan. She attended Sacred Heart School, St. Leo's school and graduated from Saint Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. She received her bachelor's degree from Pacific Lutheran University. Helen lived and worked many places around the country, the most memorable of them Sitka, Alaska, working with Native Health Service, and Ann Arbor, Mich., at the Veterans Hospital. Later, she taught nursing and staff development here at home at St. Joseph Hospital. The last part of her career was spent working at Providence Sound Home Care and Hospice in Olympia. Helen is survived by her son Mark (Sheryl), her only grandson, Jacob and Alice Armstrong, her closest friend and companion for the past 41 years. Her stories, jokes and infectious laugh will be missed at our family dinners. Special thanks to Lynn Marshall (KM) and Twyla Travis for their loving care and support. A funeral service will be held at noon in the chapel at Calvary Cemetery on Lakewood Drive W. and S. 70th St. on Saturday, December 12, with a gathering after the service at Mark's residence.