header 1
header 2
header 3

In Memory

Helene Johnson (Suit)

Helene Johnson (Suit)

The obituary for our classmate Helene Johnson Suit appeared on the website of the Kern Funeral Home.

Helene Louise Suit (Johnson), age 77, passed away at home on October 2, 2020 following a brief battle with an aggressive brain cancer. She was born June 28, 1943 in Seattle, Washington to Iver and Louise Johnson. On March 6, 1964 she eloped with her best friend and love, Terrence (Terry) Roy Suit, to the “Hitching Post” in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

Helene grew up in Bothell, Washington and spent many summers on Hope Island working in the Hope Island Resort. She graduated from the Bothell High School in 1961. Following marriage Helene and Terry lived in Everett and Colorado Springs, ultimately settling down in a farmhouse in Mount Vernon. In 1972 they moved to Arlington where they had a small farm of cows, horses, geese and chickens, the first known pumpkin patch and a garden rivaled by no other. Helene worked at the Arlington School District from which she retired in 2013. Helene never sat still, always worked hard and made her family the utmost priority of her life. She was happiest when surrounded by family, especially when spending time with her grandchildren.

Helene’s life was full of adventure and an abundance of love. She spent every summer for the past 24 years at their Crawfish Lake cabin, where she made several lifelong friends. Helene had a passion for rowing her beloved red canoe, throwing parties for neighbors, watching and protecting wildlife, hiking, riding horses, chopping wood and countless years of exciting adventures with her grandchildren. In the summer of 2018, at the age of 75, Helene successfully completed a grueling canoe trip on Bowron Lakes, Canada. She paddled 75 miles over a ten-day period. Helene carried her own food, clothing and supplies in her 60-pound pack, camped outdoors along the way, completed several portages, cooked over the campfire, all while battling heavy rains. She was proud of her accomplishment of 75 miles at 75 years.

Helene’s beautiful life will forever be cherished by her husband Terry, son Cory Suit; daughter Amy Hagenston (Marc); three grandchildren of whom she loved dearly, Austin Suit (Kristen); Darren Suit and Kate Hagenston; one great granddaughter Palmer Suit; brother Iver Johnson (Cheryl); sister Nancy Keim (Pete); and several nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren adoringly referred to her as “G” for “grandma” and thereafter “GG” for “great grandma” when Palmer was born. GG will be greatly missed beyond measure, but her family and loved ones take solace that she is living eternal peace paddling on a beautiful lake in her red canoe.

The Skagit Valley Herald also published an obituary for Helene on October 9, 2020.

http://www.kernfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Helene-Louise-Suit?obId=18584604