Helen Lee Gilliland passed away July 15, 2006. She was born November 18, 1910 to Albert Samuel Lee and Hansina (Peterson) Lee in Denison, Kansas. The family moved to Wenatchee, Washington where her father owned a grocery store. Helen received most of her schooling there, and participated in the very first Apple Blossom Parade. Moving to La Center for three years, she wound up in Zillah where her father owned Lee's Grocery, and Helen graduated from Zillah High School in 1929. She then started voice training in Yakima with Dr. Charles Keeler. She became a church soloist and also sang on the radio and at many gala functions around the state.
In 1938 she married Wayne Gilliland, a high school sweetheart who just wouldn't take "no" for an answer. They made their home in Yakima where Wayne was the office manager for Yakima Valley Petroleum.
A family of three by 1943, they moved to Seattle when Mr. Gilliland became an auditor for the state of Washington. In 1959, when Wayne was promoted, they moved to Olympia where they spent the next 30 years.
Helen pursued her music and art talents there, joining several organ groups and clubs. She studied for 10 years with Phil Raboin, the State Capitol organist. Many of her dearest friends were made through those associations.
In the fall of 1989 she and her husband moved back to Yakima to enjoy the valley and its memories from when they first met, married and became parents.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband in 1992, also her sister Florence Ballinger and brother Bob Lee. She is survived by her son, Peter Gilliland of Yakima, one granddaughter, Luna Soria (Russell) Eckstrom, one great grandaughter, Jessica Luna Eckstrom of Lacey, one sister, Dorothy (Dottie) Thomas of Yakima, and four nieces and two nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. of Friday, July 21 at Keith & Keith 9th Ave Chapel. Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 206 at Zillah Cemetery. Those wishing to attend should meet at the cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Memorial Home Health and Hospice c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home.
Published in the Yakima Herald-Republic on July 19, 2006
In 1938 she married Wayne Gilliland, a high school sweetheart who just wouldn't take "no" for an answer. They made their home in Yakima where Wayne was the office manager for Yakima Valley Petroleum.
A family of three by 1943, they moved to Seattle when Mr. Gilliland became an auditor for the state of Washington. In 1959, when Wayne was promoted, they moved to Olympia where they spent the next 30 years.
Helen pursued her music and art talents there, joining several organ groups and clubs. She studied for 10 years with Phil Raboin, the State Capitol organist. Many of her dearest friends were made through those associations.
In the fall of 1989 she and her husband moved back to Yakima to enjoy the valley and its memories from when they first met, married and became parents.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband in 1992, also her sister Florence Ballinger and brother Bob Lee. She is survived by her son, Peter Gilliland of Yakima, one granddaughter, Luna Soria (Russell) Eckstrom, one great grandaughter, Jessica Luna Eckstrom of Lacey, one sister, Dorothy (Dottie) Thomas of Yakima, and four nieces and two nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. of Friday, July 21 at Keith & Keith 9th Ave Chapel. Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 206 at Zillah Cemetery. Those wishing to attend should meet at the cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Memorial Home Health and Hospice c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home.
Published in the Yakima Herald-Republic on July 19, 2006
Helen Lee Gilliland passed away July 15, 2006. She was born November 18, 1910 to Albert Samuel Lee and Hansina (Peterson) Lee in Denison, Kansas. The family moved to Wenatchee, Washington where her father owned a grocery store. Helen received most of her schooling there, and participated in the very first Apple Blossom Parade. Moving to La Center for three years, she wound up in Zillah where her father owned Lee's Grocery, and Helen graduated from Zillah High School in 1929. She then started voice training in Yakima with Dr. Charles Keeler. She became a church soloist and also sang on the radio and at many gala functions around the state.
In 1938 she married Wayne Gilliland, a high school sweetheart who just wouldn't take "no" for an answer. They made their home in Yakima where Wayne was the office manager for Yakima Valley Petroleum.
A family of three by 1943, they moved to Seattle when Mr. Gilliland became an auditor for the state of Washington. In 1959, when Wayne was promoted, they moved to Olympia where they spent the next 30 years.
Helen pursued her music and art talents there, joining several organ groups and clubs. She studied for 10 years with Phil Raboin, the State Capitol organist. Many of her dearest friends were made through those associations.
In the fall of 1989 she and her husband moved back to Yakima to enjoy the valley and its memories from when they first met, married and became parents.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband in 1992, also her sister Florence Ballinger and brother Bob Lee. She is survived by her son, Peter Gilliland of Yakima, one granddaughter, Luna Soria (Russell) Eckstrom, one great grandaughter, Jessica Luna Eckstrom of Lacey, one sister, Dorothy (Dottie) Thomas of Yakima, and four nieces and two nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. of Friday, July 21 at Keith & Keith 9th Ave Chapel. Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 206 at Zillah Cemetery. Those wishing to attend should meet at the cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Memorial Home Health and Hospice c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home.
Published in the Yakima Herald-Republic on July 19, 2006
In 1938 she married Wayne Gilliland, a high school sweetheart who just wouldn't take "no" for an answer. They made their home in Yakima where Wayne was the office manager for Yakima Valley Petroleum.
A family of three by 1943, they moved to Seattle when Mr. Gilliland became an auditor for the state of Washington. In 1959, when Wayne was promoted, they moved to Olympia where they spent the next 30 years.
Helen pursued her music and art talents there, joining several organ groups and clubs. She studied for 10 years with Phil Raboin, the State Capitol organist. Many of her dearest friends were made through those associations.
In the fall of 1989 she and her husband moved back to Yakima to enjoy the valley and its memories from when they first met, married and became parents.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband in 1992, also her sister Florence Ballinger and brother Bob Lee. She is survived by her son, Peter Gilliland of Yakima, one granddaughter, Luna Soria (Russell) Eckstrom, one great grandaughter, Jessica Luna Eckstrom of Lacey, one sister, Dorothy (Dottie) Thomas of Yakima, and four nieces and two nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. of Friday, July 21 at Keith & Keith 9th Ave Chapel. Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, 206 at Zillah Cemetery. Those wishing to attend should meet at the cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Memorial Home Health and Hospice c/o Keith & Keith Funeral Home.
Published in the Yakima Herald-Republic on July 19, 2006
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