Helen T. Keister, 94, of Anacortes, died of heart failure following surgery, on Oct. 1, 2008 at Island Hospital in Anacortes. She was born on May 17, 1914, in Anacortes, the daughter of John and Palma (Separovich) Tasovac. Helen lived her entire life in Anacortes, graduating from Anacortes High School, and thereafter attending Skagit Valley Business School.

During her business career, Helen worked for Dr. Lyle Packard, the Affleck Brothers, and retired from Puget Sound Power & Light Company. She was a founding member of the Anacortes Business & Professional Women’s Club and was the oldest life-long member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Anacortes. Helen was a guild member of Children’s Hospital for over 60 years and served 17 terms as guild president. During World War II, Helen sold War Bonds and volunteered at the Anacortes Public Library. The two great passions in Helen’s later life were sports and her family. There were few games that Helen missed watching; she enjoyed discussing the results with her family and friends. She adored her grandchildren and was always inquiring about their lives. “The beautiful qualities of her life shall endure forever in the hearts of those who loved her.”

Helen was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Susan Keister; grandchildren and spouses, John and Cassie Keister, Matt Keister, Gary and Megan Schmidt; great-grandchildren, Miles and Wes Schmidt, Vladimir Keister; niece, Yvonne Budrovich Prather; and great niece, Toni Carpenter.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6, at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes. A Rosary will be held at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church. Interment will be held at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes with a reception following the graveside service at the Croatian Club. Memorials may be made to the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, MS/S-200, PO Box 50020, Seattle, WA, 98145-5020. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes. To share memories of Helen, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.