Helen Margaret Russell

Helen Margaret Shanstrom RUSSELL Still going strong at 101, Helen died unexpectedly of natural causes on January 10, 2011. Born to Percy Clare Shanstrom and Evelyn Helmer Shanstrom in 1909, she grew up in the Rainier Beach area. She was a graduate of the former Broadway High School. In 1930 she graduated from the University of Washington where she was affiliated with Mortar Board and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She played shortstop for the 1927 Husky women's baseball team and was finally awarded a varsity letter in 2007 by the Athletic Department at a gala honoring women in sports. While attending school, she worked for the Daily Journal of Commerce and Simpson Logging Company. Helen married James M. Russell in 1936 and had two sons. When her husband contracted Polio, she went to work for Boeing where she remained until retirement. Helen lived in the Seattle area her entire life and was proud of her many accomplishments such as publishing a book of Haiku titled "Distant Sounds" at the age of 99. Along with Haiku, Helen loved Bonsai, writing short stories, living in a cabin on Vashon Island, listening to loud jazz music and dancing to her own beat. She traveled around the world, often tagging one of her granddaughters along. She enjoyed living independently at Bellewood Retirement Apartments for the past 11 years where she was a member of the jazz group Club Belle. The highlight of Helen's long life was her 3 granddaughters whom she loved dearly. Helen is survived by her sons James (Mac) Russell, Alan Russell and wife Judy, granddaughters Cari Sheppard (Mike), Lindy Mihata (Kean), and Shelly Krasselt (Ryan), four great-grandchildren Blake and Marissa Sheppard, Lowdon Mihata, and Justin Krasselt, sister-in-law Mona Shanstrom, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband James, sister Jean, and brother Jack. Helen's individuality, spark, feisty nature, stubbornness, subtle humor, and love of life were all attributes that made her such a unique person. She was truly a "great old broad" and will be missed by many. At her request, no services will be held.