Helen Mae (Bryson) Neighbor of Seattle, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 1, 2010. She was 94. She lived in Wenatchee from 1929 to 1946. Helen was born in Asheville, NC on January 22, 1916, the daughter of Harry and May (Talbert) Bryson. Her brother, Harry Jr., her only sibling, was born in 1920. They remained close throughout their lives. In 1929, the family moved to Wenatchee, where Helen entered Wenatchee High School at age 13. Her father, Harry, was chief of the Wenatchee Fire Department from 1929 to 1949. In her youth, Helen enjoyed hiking and skiing, loved to dance, acted in plays in the Center Stage Theater Group, and was an usher at the Liberty Theater. She attended Wenatchee Methodist Church. A genuine beauty, Helen was chosen Princess of Wenatchee's Apple Blossom Festival and was later named Wenatchee's Snow Queen. Graduating from Wenatchee High in 1933, she attended Wenatchee Business College and Washington State College and, for ten years, worked as a Secretary at Northwestern Mutual Fire and Casualty Co. She married her true love and husband of 61 years, William E. "Bill" Neighbor on April 4, 1942. After long separations during Bill's four years as Army lieutenant in WWII, they lived in Aberdeen, Seattle and Tacoma and, in 1956, settled in Bellevue, where they raised two sons, Bill Jr. and John. Helen loved the outdoors and the family took frequent trailer-camping trips. In the 1960s and '70s, Helen volunteered in the local PTA, Bellevue Presbyterian Church and Griffin Home for Boys. Helen and Bill moved to Bothell in 1998, and were members of Thousand Trails at La Conner from 1980 to 2002. Bill passed away in 2003, at age 90.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Lakecrest House in Seattle, where Helen lived from 2007 until her passing.

Helen will be remembered fondly for her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. She is preceded in passing by her husband, Bill Sr. (2003); parents, Harry and May Bryson (1973 and 1977); brother, Harry Bryson Jr. (1998); and many relatives from North Carolina. Survivors include sons, Bill Jr. and John Neighbor; grandsons, John, Rob, Josh and Noah Neighbor of Seattle and Bellingham; and several nieces and nephews.

A Private Burial was held September 11, 2010, at Mills & Mills Memorial Park in Tumwater, WA. Rest gently, sweet soul. You will be missed.