Helen Veda Carrell passed away on August 4, 2004, in Richland, WA. She was born in Kansas City, Kansas on July 6, 1928 to Bryan and Veda Burge. Helen grew up with one sister, Lois, and the family moved to Seattle when she entered Roosevelt High School. After graduating, she attended the University of Washington, and it was there that she met John Carrell on a blind date in 1947. They married less than a year later and celebrated their 56th wedding on July 11, 2004.

Helen and John lived in Richland in one bedroom of a prefab house during Hanford's early years. Despite their small quarters, they entertained friends by cooking dinner with just one small electric frying pan. When John was later transferred by General Electric, they moved to Schenectady, New York and to Erie, Pennsylvania. They returned to Richland in 1950 and except for one year in San Jose, California, Helen and John have remained in the Tri-Cities. They lived in Kennewick and also particularly enjoyed the solar house north of Pasco they designed together.

Helen worked initially as a secretary for General Electric but became a homemaker to raise their three children. She was a charter member of both the Vista Junior Women's Club and the Washington Society of Professional Engineers Auxiliary. She served in local offices of the Auxiliary and was also the state president. She assisted many of the Auxiliary's educational activities including proctoring the Engineering in Training exam and helping with the Tri-Cities Math Counts contests.

Helen enjoyed all types of family activities, which ranged from backpacking trips to extended boating excursions. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed gardening and needlework. At times she played zookeeper for the many pets that the family adopted including monkeys, snakes, spiders and birds of all varieties. Her home was a popular gathering place for her children's friends and neighborhood children. She made a positive impact on many young lives.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, John, and her sister, Lois Baker of Fremont, California, children include Don Carrell and his wife, Sue, of Richland; Janet Stoffel of Coos Bay, Oregon, and Bob Carrell and his wife, Dottie, of Richland, four grandchildren, Tobin and Serena Hagan, and Tyler and Kelsey Baumgartner; and one great granddaughter, Anna Hagan.

With all of her medical problems of recent years, ''why me'' was never heard. If there is a place where the souls of the good people reside, Helen is there now.

A farewell gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2004, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Don and Sue’s home. Einan's may be contacted for information.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Neurological Center 712 Swift Blvd., Suite 1, Richland, WA 99352.