Helen Carmelita Gotcher, our beautiful mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, auntie and friend, 81, passed away on May 2 at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center with her loved ones by her side.
After eight days of fighting, she went to heaven to be with her husband Carl. Our hearts are broken, but we know she is no longer in pain and now at peace.
Helen was born on Sept. 18, 1935, to Joe and Millie Anaya in San Jose, Calif. She grew up in San Jose, where her parents called her “Hell Cat Helen,” because she was always a little spitfire.
Helen met Carl at a nightclub when she was only 20 and he was 23. He asked her to dance, but added, “As long as you don’t step on my blue suede shoes.” And yes, he was wearing blue suede shoes. They danced all night and, of course, she stepped on them.
But it was still love at first sight. Helen married the love of her life, Carl, on Dec. 30, 1955 in San Jose. Their only daughter, Sandy, was born in Oakland. In 1956, they moved from Alameda Naval Station to Whidbey Naval Station in Oak Harbor, where they spent the majority of their lives.
They moved to several other bases over the 22 years Carl was in the Navy, but Helen always wanted to return to the island. She called it the “Rock,” and it was home to her.
Helen was a very independent woman. She worked at the BOQ for over 40 years and retired at the age of 74. She loved to eat and was an amazing cook. She loved to bowl and was in a bowling league for many years, even throughout her 70s.
She was an avid movie fan and could watch her favorites over and over again. She loved her grandkids and great-grandkids more than anything in the world. She was very proud of her family. She lost Carl to cancer in 2009, after 53 years of marriage, which left a big hole in her heart.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband Carl, her son-in-law Mike who she always loved like a real son, her parents Joe and Millie, her sister Phyllis, her sister-in-law Norma Lee, her sister and brother in-law Peggy and Lyle Cranford, her brother and sister-in-law Whoopus and Addie Gotcher and her beloved dog Max.
Helen is survived by her daughter Sandy; grandchildren, Adam Barker (wife Monica) and Keri Barker; and great-grandchildren, Tyson, age 5, and Brooklyn, age 3. She is also survived by her brother Joe Anaya (Suzanne), sister Verna Pike and also by and nieces, nephews and friends too many to mention but who know who they are.
Helen will always be in our hearts, reunited in the sky with Carl, dancing until the day we meet again. We love and miss you so much.
Helen will be buried at Tahoma National Cemetery with her husband Carl. At Helen’s request there will not be a public memorial service, however a celebration of her life is being planned this summer. An announcement will run prior to the event.
