Obituary: Farris, Helen B. (Towne)
Age 95
(Towne) (Age 95) Passed away Friday morning, November 14, 2014 in Davenport, WA.
Born in Wallace, ID on February 19, 1919 to Jay and Marion Berg, Helen was always proud of her Norwegian heritage.
Preceded in death by her brothers Bruce and John Berg; she will be remembered and celebrated by her children Barbara Brucker and Jim Tocher, Beverly and Rand Masteller; and grandchildren Laura and Brett Schiller, and Ryan Masteller and Ashley Cefalo.
Helen was also delighted to be mother and grandmother to several others through her second and third marriages.
Attending school in Mullan and Wallace, ID, and graduating from Wallace High School in 1936, she attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1940 with a degree in Home Economics.
A proud 77 year member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority Helen served in many capacities through the years including Province Alumna Director.
She was initiated into P.E.O.
in 1942 and was an active 72 year member.
After college she taught school in Spirit Lake, ID and worked for the WWP in Moscow, ID and Seattle before marrying Willis Brewer in 1944.
They lived in Wallace and Walla Walla, WA where they raised their two girls, and she taught home-ec classes at Wa-Hi and WW Community College.
In 1967 Helen moved to Spokane and married Robert Towne.
They were active members of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral where she held many positions and enjoyed singing in the choir.
She was also an avid helper in several Spokane charities including Meals on Wheels, and was a regular blood donor.
Through the years she also particularly enjoyed snow-skiing, golf, sewing, oil painting, and her daily crosswords.
After Robert’s death in 1998, Helen married James Farris, a longtime friend from Wallace, they lived in Spokane until his death in 2001.
Helen then moved to the Davenport Retirement Village in Davenport, WA where she resided for the past 13 years.
She continued her active lifestyle, being involved in the Presbyterian Church, P.E.O., study club, bridge group, school volunteer, etc.
Able to drive and vigorous into her 90s, Helen always greeted people with a warm smile and a gracious comment.
She will be dearly missed by all who had the good fortune to know her and enjoy her wit.
Helen’s memorial celebration will be held at Davenport Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 11:00am.
Suggested memorials may be given in her name to Davenport Care and Share, or the Inland Empire Blood Bank.
Please sign her on-line register book at www.stratefuneralhome.com.
STRATE FUNERAL HOME is serving Helen’s family.