We mourn the loss of Helen Marie Boora Brandvick, a lifelong resident of Aberdeen, who passed away from natural causes in September, 2018 at the age of 89. Helen was a true daughter of the Harbor, spending summers at the beach in the sun with her friends, digging clams, planting and appreciating beautiful flowers, and enjoying the arts, as well as her home and visits with family, friends, and virtually everyone she met in her daily travels throughout Aberdeen.
Helen was born on December 23, 1928 in Seattle, Washington to Alexander and Anna (Kelly) Boora. Her older siblings Alexandra “Sandra” Boora Caton (Ernie) and James D. “Jim” Boora (Joyce) preceded her in death as did each of her parents. The daughter of an immigrant father from Greece who had grown up near Macedonia, and a recently emigrated mother whose family was from Ireland (via Quebec and Idaho), Helen grew up in a rich cultural, fun-loving family of delicious cooks, and hardworking, successful business entrepreneurs. Helen and her family moved to Aberdeen in 1933, where her father started and operated Model (Dry) Cleaners, located directly across the street from what was then the tony Morck Hotel.
Helen and her siblings loved telling stories of famous celebrities who visited the Morck. She learned business values working behind the counter at the Model Cleaners, which supported future success as a business woman in Aberdeen. She later worked for Weyerhaueser on the accounting team; for Matich Real Estate, and for Harbor Dry Cleaners. She excelled at delivering excellent care and service to her customers, meeting and exceeding top sales goals, earning a Top Sales award in 1980. She built on this legacy, combining interior design talent with stellar sales results selling furniture at Sears and Selmers, respectively.
Helen attended McDermoth Elementary, Miller Junior High School, was a proud Weatherwax High School Bobcat, graduating at the top of her class in 1947, and later attending Grays Harbor College where she studied business. In her private life she was a proud godmother to Jimmy Boora II (Janet), and doted on her nieces Julie Boora Estes (John) and Jeanette Boora McCallum (Rich), and a proud aunty to each of their future spouses and children. She previously enjoyed hikes as a member of the Olympians.
She loved the arts, especially classical music, opera, and watching plays and musicals at the Driftwood Playhouse and the Bishop Center. One of the true delights each summer was hearing and watching the Aberdeen High School marching band practice directly outside of her residences, first on Third Street and later on North I Street in Aberdeen.
In 1954, Helen met the love of her life, Kory Hjalmar Brandvik, whose family had emigrated from Norway to Hoquiam when he was seven years old. A handsome commercial fisherman with beautiful blue eyes who loved to hike, take drives and explore nature, learn about world cultures and take photos. Her life was never the same. The two wedded on April 1, 1959, the only day she was able to take off from work that week. They were blessed with one daughter, Karen (Ross), of whom she was extremely proud.
In 1981, Kory passed away from lung cancer. Helen never remarried, but lived a quiet, enjoyable and relaxing life. Helen is survived by her daughter, Karen (Ross), and by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, September 27th at 11 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Aberdeen Inurnment will take place in Fern Hill Cemetery, Thursday at 3 PM.
The family suggests remembrances to PAWS of Grays Harbor, P.O. Box451. Aberdeen, WA 98529; Aberdeen Community Food Bank, 306 ½ N I St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; or the Timberland Regional Library, 121 E Market St., Aberdeen, WA 98520.
The family also wishes to thank the teams at Harbor Taxi and the Aberdeen Safeway for always helping her as she struggled with severe, extreme and often painful arthritis later in her life. Your care, attention, grace, kindness and friendship were greatly appreciated.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Brandvick, please visit our flower store.
Helen was born on December 23, 1928 in Seattle, Washington to Alexander and Anna (Kelly) Boora. Her older siblings Alexandra “Sandra” Boora Caton (Ernie) and James D. “Jim” Boora (Joyce) preceded her in death as did each of her parents. The daughter of an immigrant father from Greece who had grown up near Macedonia, and a recently emigrated mother whose family was from Ireland (via Quebec and Idaho), Helen grew up in a rich cultural, fun-loving family of delicious cooks, and hardworking, successful business entrepreneurs. Helen and her family moved to Aberdeen in 1933, where her father started and operated Model (Dry) Cleaners, located directly across the street from what was then the tony Morck Hotel.
Helen and her siblings loved telling stories of famous celebrities who visited the Morck. She learned business values working behind the counter at the Model Cleaners, which supported future success as a business woman in Aberdeen. She later worked for Weyerhaueser on the accounting team; for Matich Real Estate, and for Harbor Dry Cleaners. She excelled at delivering excellent care and service to her customers, meeting and exceeding top sales goals, earning a Top Sales award in 1980. She built on this legacy, combining interior design talent with stellar sales results selling furniture at Sears and Selmers, respectively.
Helen attended McDermoth Elementary, Miller Junior High School, was a proud Weatherwax High School Bobcat, graduating at the top of her class in 1947, and later attending Grays Harbor College where she studied business. In her private life she was a proud godmother to Jimmy Boora II (Janet), and doted on her nieces Julie Boora Estes (John) and Jeanette Boora McCallum (Rich), and a proud aunty to each of their future spouses and children. She previously enjoyed hikes as a member of the Olympians.
She loved the arts, especially classical music, opera, and watching plays and musicals at the Driftwood Playhouse and the Bishop Center. One of the true delights each summer was hearing and watching the Aberdeen High School marching band practice directly outside of her residences, first on Third Street and later on North I Street in Aberdeen.
In 1954, Helen met the love of her life, Kory Hjalmar Brandvik, whose family had emigrated from Norway to Hoquiam when he was seven years old. A handsome commercial fisherman with beautiful blue eyes who loved to hike, take drives and explore nature, learn about world cultures and take photos. Her life was never the same. The two wedded on April 1, 1959, the only day she was able to take off from work that week. They were blessed with one daughter, Karen (Ross), of whom she was extremely proud.
In 1981, Kory passed away from lung cancer. Helen never remarried, but lived a quiet, enjoyable and relaxing life. Helen is survived by her daughter, Karen (Ross), and by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, September 27th at 11 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Aberdeen Inurnment will take place in Fern Hill Cemetery, Thursday at 3 PM.
The family suggests remembrances to PAWS of Grays Harbor, P.O. Box451. Aberdeen, WA 98529; Aberdeen Community Food Bank, 306 ½ N I St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; or the Timberland Regional Library, 121 E Market St., Aberdeen, WA 98520.
The family also wishes to thank the teams at Harbor Taxi and the Aberdeen Safeway for always helping her as she struggled with severe, extreme and often painful arthritis later in her life. Your care, attention, grace, kindness and friendship were greatly appreciated.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Brandvick, please visit our flower store.
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