Helen (Kralevich) Carter passed on Dec. 28, 2017, at her home in Chelan, Washington.
Helen, the daughter of Joe and Anna Kralevich, was born Sept. 28, 1930, in Aberdeen, Wash. She graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1948 and entered the workforce shortly after that. Helen’s work ethic was irreproachable with her often working two or three jobs simultaneously to support her four boys: Frank Merino, Joe Merino (deceased, 2015), Phil Merino (deceased, 2014) and Doug Merino. She later married James E. Carter and gave birth to their daughter, Shelly. A wife, mother, grandma, aunt, cousin and friend, she loved them all and they loved her.
Helen had her own “dragnet” of mothers and they were fiercely protective of their children as well as others. Over the years Helen and Betty Marks were often spotted in the streets of Westport and the south Beach, Helen at the wheel of her black Chrysler New Yorker, Betty riding shotgun, with their “Hawk Eyes” wide open for anything suspicious. Her “Helen-isms” ensured she was always a couple of steps ahead of them, day or night, she had an uncanny ability to know where they were going before they did.
Helen’s most endearing attributes was not just the love she had for her friends, but most intimately, the love for her family. She treasured them dearly and always looked out for their safety. Helen’s legacy would continue till the end of her life.
While working at Freddie Steel’s, Sourdough Lil’s and the Islander restaurants, Helen collected a storehouse of friends and patrons with whom she established solid relationships. Unique by nature, Helen was one of the first women to operate a forklift for Ocean Spray during cranberry season. It was an unconventional job for women at the time,
Helen had a variety of interests, and one of them were sports. Her husband Jim Carter (aka) “Mr.C” was the athletic director at Ocosta High School in Westport, so they attended all athletic events – to include her children and grandchildren’s events in the future. Helen was a good sport, a great cheerleader, and a supportive fan. But docile spectator she was not, which became abundantly apparent at a particular play-off game. It was the first time in the history of Ocosta High School that they had made it to the Class A State Basketball Championships, not once but twice, consecutively in two years.
Woe to the ref who made a bad call that day! Like a Hawk zooming down on its prey, Helen flew from the second floor of bleachers straight to the ref. The game was stopped to assist the ref – and, to remove “the interference.” When the game resumed, Ocosta pulled ahead and eventually went on to win the State Class A Basketball Championship. Her husband, a man of few words, said only four words about the incident, “Way to go, Helen!”
Helen supported the city of Westport and was a politician by “proxy.” She seldom missed a meeting and was unafraid to express her concerns. One such concern was after several council members had opposed to donating a city-owned house to the senior citizens. As a result, Helen organized a team of seniors, signs and all, and picketed city hall. It was Westport’s first political demonstration! Needless to say, when visiting Westport today, one can check out the facilities of Westport’s popular Senior Citizens House. You see, there are people who watch what happens, others who ask, “What happened?” Then there are those who make things happen. Helen made things happen, and she had two ways of doing it: 1) Helen’s way, and 2) Helen’s way. End of story.
Nephew John Mark Stoich of Arlington once said, “I love her laughter. Nobody laughs like Aunt Helen!” Helen did have infectious laughter that worked in tandem with her 1000-watt smile. Mix that with a huge dose of humor and compassion, a touch of temper, and topped off with an unbridled flare for adventure, and you had a woman who owned every room she entered.
Helen is survived by her husband Jim Carter of Chelan, Wash.; Frank Merino (wife Deb) of Graham, Wash.; Doug Merino (wife Kay Erak-Merino) of Olympia, Wash.; Shelly Stamps (husband Steve) of Chelan, Wash.; and Roberta Merino (wife of the late Joe Merino) of Westport, Wash. Helen was Grandma to 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and has numerous nieces and nephews.
When Helen’s husband Jim first met her he said, “Helen is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” She was his queen and he treated her as such from beginning to end. Helen had full reign over his heart, and no kingdom could have ever found a more committed, loyal subject than Jim Carter. The last thing he said the to his family as they left her home on Dec. 28, 2017, was, “Helen is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” …and that is because she was.
A private family celebration of her life will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations made to the Westport Senior Citizens House.
Please feel free to leave any thoughts and memories for the family at www.prechtrose.com. Precht Rose Chapel of Chelan is entrusted with the services.
