Helen Thorburn Tall

Helen Thorburn (Martin) TALL A truly classy lady, Helen maintained her independent spirit right up until her peaceful passing at home at age 87. She was a woman of broad interests who could engage in conversation on almost any topic. She made those around her feel she had a genuine interest in what they had to say, and she always saw the positives in people. Helen loved beautiful things and did her part to add beauty to the world through her garden, lovely home, and her fashion sense. People of every age counted her as their friend and they marveled at her energy and zest for life. Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, she attended Queens University and then received her physical therapy degree at McGill University. Her independent spirit led her out west to Vancouver, B.C. and later Seattle, where she practiced PT primarily with polio patients, before marrying and raising her children. An avid fisherman, sports enthusiast, gardener, bird-nurturer and board-game competitor, she had a gift for friendships but most of all treasured time spent with her daughters and grandchildren. Helen is preceded in death by her parents Agnes and Earl Martin, and siblings Dorothy Young, Marion Staples and Robert Martin, all of Sudbury, as well as her son Robert Martin Tall and husband of many years, Leonard Tall, of Seattle, WA. She is survived by daughters Merideth Tall and Lisa Tall (Bent Kjos) of Mercer Island and 8 grandchildren: Della, Alia, Ramsey, Zane, Jenna, Kari, Leif and Nils. A service to celebrate this quintessentially young-at-heart spirit will be held on Saturday May 21 at 11 am at Glendale Country Club in Bellevue, with lunch reception to follow. Helen contributed regularly to many different charities, so please direct remembrances to your charity of choice.