Helen Muriel Boswell

Helen Muriel Boswell, 93, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2015, in Wenatchee, WA with both of her daughters by her side. Helen Muriel Boswell was born in Pomeroy, WA to Lester L. Smith and Elva M. (Robinson) Smith on December 25, 1921. He father always laughed and told the story that this happened just as he was sitting down to the Smith family Christmas dinner. Mother was greatly loved and cherished by her parents. Helen’s great-grandparents, James Buttler and Anna Crawford, bought 160 acres of land in what later became Garfield County in Washington Territory June 1, 1882. Mom grew up on a 6000 acre ranch, next to her great-grandparent’s ranch. This was an idyllic life, which included a beloved horse, Dolly. Mom told the story of racing Dolly bareback against the boy on a neighboring ranch. She would laugh and say, “I always won.” When snow was deep, her father would bundle her into a horse and sleigh and away they would go to the Pataha school house. At other times, she rode her horse to school. Mom’s love of horses and riding led to her being selected Princess of the Lewiston Rodeo around 1942. The Queen was a B movie actress from Hollywood, who had grown up in Idaho. They had to ride in a horse-drawn carriage, because the Queen did not ride horses. Mom always laughed about that. She wanted to ride Dolly instead. Mom attended Pomeroy High School, where she participated as a cheerleader and had many friends. Mom attended class reunions through at least the 50th. She attended Kinman Business School in Spokane and moved on to Washington State College (WSU). She was a Cougar through and through. As Mom entered her home, she would push a button on a key chain next to the door which plays the “WSU Fight Song”. While at WSC, she met and married Oscar Wayne Boswell on September 7, 1947, at Pomeroy, WA. They moved to Seattle while Wayne did graduate work in Economics at the University of Washington. Helen and Wayne then moved to Spokane, WA, where he began a career and their first child, Cinda, was born. The young family then moved to Peshastin, WA, where Wayne began working in the Boswell family business then known as the E & W Market. While living in Peshastin, the family grew to include Steve, Teresa and Jon. In 1961, the family moved to Wenatchee, WA. Mom worked as a secretary for the Forest Service and various other businesses, completing her career with the Washington State Employment Security Department. She retired in 1990, but continued to work for many more years off and on. She loved being around people and was very social. Mom was an avid bowler for 40 years at the Columbia Lanes, until it burned down. Prior to that, she bowled in Cashmere, WA. She played women’s fast pitch, and was league secretary and score keeper until age 55. Mom’s love of people led her to volunteer at Our House Cancer Care from 1992 to 2011. Mom was an unconditional mother with her family. We will forever miss her love and ability to listen to us at any time we might need her. She loved her family, laughter, life and fun. Mom gave to anyone who might be in need. She was a woman of lifelong faith, an Episcopalian of well over 70 years, and a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Wenatchee. Her faith was ever present in her life as she prayed over her children. Mom was preceded in death by her father, Lester; mother, Elva; and is survived by her four children, Cinda (Boswell) Steinbroner, Stephen Boswell, Teresa Boswell and Jon Boswell. Helen has six grandchildren, Meigan Schlereth Fey, Brett Boswell, Alec Boswell, Hannah Boswell, Justin Boswell, and Ben Thresher; and five great-grandchildren. A Funeral Service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Wenatchee. Burial will be held after the Service at the Wenatchee City Cemetery, followed by a reception at Jon Boswell’s home. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations given to Our House Cancer Care of Wenatchee or the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee.

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Helen Muriel Boswell

December 25, 1921 - February 7, 2015