Helen McRAE

Helen Joyce Wright was born on August 13th, 1926, in Joseph, Oregon and raised in a 2-bedroom farmhouse with no electricity or running water. Helen passed away in Spokane Valley, Washington, on October 26th, 2025.

Helen was the 5th of six children (Millard, Don, Shirley Maxine "Sis," Bonnie Jean, & Leland) born to Grover and Jessie Millard Wright. Helen was the valedictorian of the Class of 1944 at Joseph High School, then moved to Spokane to attend Kinman Business School. She worked 25 years at Armour Star Meats with her lifelong friends, "The Armour Queens," and another 25 years at S&P Meats.

Helen met Joe McRae on a blind date, and they married in 1951. They had three children, Joyce, Shirley "Puff," and Jeff. They built their lifelong home in 1960 in the Spokane Valley and attended St. John Vianney Catholic Church, where she was active in the Altar Society for many years. Helen and Joe visited all 50 states by RV and took several international trips as well. She enjoyed cooking, antiques, sewing, garage sales, and had a small appliance collection that rivaled a Sears catalog. She was famous for her pickles, homemade jam, canned fruit, and annual fruitcake, always with gumdrops.

Helen was a resilient woman, having survived breast cancer and being preceded in death by so many friends and family, including her siblings, and her husband of 57 years, Joe McRae. She is survived by her children: Joyce Fox, Shirley (Rick) Keith, and Jeff (Tanya) McRae. She was Grandma Mac to Jamie, Kami, Brent, Jeff, Joe, Corey and Connor; and great-grandchildren Sam, Jessie, Josephine, Emberly, Madison, Riley, Kasen, Henry and Morgan; and Grandma Helen to her niece's sons, Justin and Tyler.

Mom/Grandma will be fondly remembered for her devotion to family, kindness, off-key singing at church, chocolate chip banana bread, quick-witted humor, many one-liners, her smug response, "I improved on it," when asked for a recipe, and life advice, "Don't eat the apple peels..." In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John Vianney Catholic School, 501 N. Walnut Rd., Spokane, WA 99206.

Rosary Service is November 14th, at 10 a.m., with Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m., and reception at 12:00 p.m., all held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Graveside Service at 2:30 p.m., St. Joseph Cemetery.

To share memories of Helen or to leave condolences for her family, please visit her obituary page at www.hennesseyfh.com.