Helene B. Lewis died August 22, 2005 at Providence Hospital, Everett, following a sudden illness. She was born in Bellows Falls, Vermont on Nov. 9, 1920 to Edward and Stella (Lukaszewicz) Jancewicz. She was raised in Norwich, Conn., and graduated in 1938 from Norwich Free Academy.

Helene married Harry A. Junkins, Jr. on July 10, 1941. Harry was on active duty with the U.S. Navy and Helene became a Navy wife. The Navy took the Junkins’ to Key West, Fla., Stockton, Calif., New London, Conn., Astoria, Ore., and back to Newport. Harry retired from the Navy in Newport, R.I. in 1955 as an MMC and they moved to Astoria.

Helene and Harry moved to Oak Harbor in 1962. They became members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and also as officers in the Whidbey-Deception Pass Boat Club and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Whitehead-Muzzall Post 7392. They were also avid bowlers.

Harry died in 1966. Following his death, Helene went to work as a bookkeeper at the barbecue at NAS Whidbey. On April 7, 1973, she married John Alfred “Whitey” Lewis. She and Whitey served as officers in the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. They continued bowling in their leisure time. In 1977, they built their new home in Mariners Cove and were involved with the Mariners Cove Association. Whitey died in 1990.

Helene was a member of the Oak Harbor Emblem Club 450, having served as president, marshal, financial secretary, recording secretary, treasurer, a position she held at the time of her death. She was chosen Sister of the Year two times by the club. She participated in the Elks bingo and Emblem bazaars for many years.

Helene was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for nearly 30 years.  She held officer positions and was a member of the Master Beta Chapter.  She was also a member of the North Whidbey City Council of Beta Sigma Phi.

Helene has been a member of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church for nearly 43 years. For many years, she served as director of the Altar Guild. She enjoyed needlework, quilting, crocheting, walking and being active. She volunteered for a time with Meals-on-Wheels at the Oak Harbor Senior Center.

Helene is survived by two sons: Lawrence “Larry” Junkins and wife Sandy of Fairfax, Va., and Richard “Dick” Junkins and wife Laura of Marysville, Wash.; one brother, Edward Jancewicz of Norwich, Conn., and one sister, Elizabeth Scopelitis of Uncasville, Conn. Two grandchildren, Brian Junkins of Bluemont, Va., and Douglas Junkins of Eastsound, Wash., four step grandchildren, Tonya Michalik of Germantown, Md., Deirdre Martin of Collegeville, Pa., Jason Lucas of Everett, Wash., and Christopher Lucas of Marysville, Wash., also survive. 

In addition Helene is survived by three great grandchildren, Derek, Crosby and Claire Junkins, all of Eastsound, Wash., and seven step great grandchildren: Amber and Ashley Michalik of Germantown. Md., Samantha Martin of Collegeville, Pa., Alyssia and Destiny Lucas of Everett, Zoe and Gavin Lucas of Marysville.

Memorial services were celebrated at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Oak Harbor on August 26 with Rev. Carol Harlacher officiating. Inurnment followed at Maple Leaf Cemetery, with the Oak Harbor Emblem Club 450 conducting the closing rites. Memorials may be made to the Washington Elks Therapy Program for Children, c/o Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.