Helen Denniston

Helen B. (Mary) Denniston passed away peacefully on May 21, 2012, in Gig Harbor, Washington, with her son David by her side. Helen was born on March 31, 1920, in Seattle, Washington, to Harry and Florence Barrett. As a child Helen was an avid sports enthusiast attending numerous sporting events with her father and sisters. As a sunshine girl for the West Seattle Masons Helen participated in many activities at the Zenith Home, in Des Moines, Washington, bringing joy, dancing and singing for tenants. During her years in public school she was an outstanding student especially with Mathematics, Language Arts and Spelling. She failed to miss any school days due to illness. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1938 and was the class valedictorian. Helen met her future husband Donald W. Denniston while working at the Washington State Grange in downtown Seattle in 1940. Don and Helen were married at the West Seattle Christian Church on June 13, 1941. They lived in may locations though out their lives, firstly in Manchester, Washington, then San Francisco, Portland, West Seattle and eventually moving back to Manchester before Don's passing in 1989 Helen's life was always filled with activities, community participation and in the helping of others.  In later years she enjoyed playing cards both in Manchester and at the Givens Senior Center in Port Orchard, but she most looked forward to playing Liverpool Rummy with her family and Grandchildren. She was dedicated and enjoyed all moments with her family and grand children traveling, cooking and cards.  Very enjoyable times were taking her grandchildren on trips to the Oregon coast with her sister Hazel.  She was always able to bring a smile to most everyone's face. Everyone, including strangers, were always welcome and treated with respect and dignity at events held at her home. Helen work for 20 years in the West Seattle Hearing Center and retired in the late 80's. An extremely dedicated local sports fan with the Washington Huskies being her favorite. She attended almost all home football games from 1960 through 1994. There were very few times that a Seahawk or Mariner game was not on her television or radio. Even as Alzheimer's/Dementia consumed her, she was always excited to talk and hear about the Dawg's, Seahawks and Mariners. She was always able to fit into any situation comfortably.  Helen never judged a book by its cover and always found the best in everyone. Through that type of personality and attitude, she was always able to gain great respect from everyone she met. Helen was always greatly respected and thought of by all of Barrett and David's friends throughout the years and was treated like a queen. In being a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Helen's world always evolved and moved around her family with pride and generosity. Family vacations were of great enjoyment to her and Donald. She enjoyed their travels to Reno, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Montana and their numerous fishing trips to Westport and Sekiu. Helen and Don extremely enjoyed salt water fishing and going to Vegas and Reno. They both usually did well and Helen was quite a poker player. The couple had many memorable vacations and trips with Barrett, David and Grandchildren. Helen was always prepared at family gatherings with her camera and always got great photo's of key events. She made sure to list on the reverse side, information regarding the picture, date and who was it.  Helen was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald W. Denniston, brother Earl Barrett, sisters, Evelyn Nosler, Hazel Lawrence, Florence Houtz and son Barrett L. Denniston. Helen is survived by her son David A Denniston, of Newport, WA, Grand Daughter's Leslie D. Richardson of  West Seattle, Tanya A. Morris of Manchester, WA, and Jennifer A Milburn of St. Libory, IL., Grandson, Adam Denniston, of Burien, WA, Daughters-In-Law, Linda S. Denniston and Charlotte Denniston and Great Grandchildren, Zachary Richardson, Ty Milburn and Tatum Milburn, Carley and Nicholas Morris, whom she loved so dearly. Even during her darkest hours she was always concerned with the thought was everyone in the family doing fine. A memorial celebration of Helen's life will be held at Rill's Life Tribute Center, 1151 Mitchell Avenue, Port Orchard, Washington, on June 3, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. with a reception to follow. Inurnment will be Monday, June 4th at 2:00 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 6701 30th Ave, SW, Seattle, WA