Hellen H. NELSON Age 92, of Seattle, passed away in her sleep June 17, 2003. Born Hellen May Tackett in Ferndale, Washington, January 21, 1911, to Lonnie Tackett (photographer) and Georgia (Johnson) Tackett, both of Missouri. She was married in 1943 to Burt Gayle Nelson, and also had a previous marriage to Edwin McRae Hill beginning in 1929. Hellen was preceded in death by her beloved Burt (1989) and by siblings Lonzo, Albert, Gifford, Marjorie and Ruth.

She was survived by daughter Madelon (Lonnie) Sue Nelson, granddaughter Luesa Jordan, grandson-in-law David Jordan and grandsons Kevin, Kenneth and James Healy, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, including Susan Brashears, Jean Bumcrot and Cathy and Billy Gamble. Hellen lived a very independent life into her late 80s. She was active in the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Ladies Auxiliary (serving as President, among other roles), and in the ILWU Pensioners, after Burt's death.

She was a regular guest lecturer at Evergreen State College for many years, sharing her experiences in the workforce during World War II (when she worked on instrument panels for Boeing planes). Hellen was an avid seamstress, both as a job and as a hobby. She worked many years in assembly at Skyway Luggage. Hellen lived on a houseboat on Lake Union from 1956-1999. She and Burt loved this unique lifestyle, and rebuilt their houseboat "from the float up". To fellow residents on her dock, now known as The Lake Union, Hellen was a constant source of pleasure.

Her knowledge of the history of the floating home community provided many hours of interesting discussions. Hellen's love and generosity, gentility and caring for humanity will be remembered and missed by all who knew her.