Born on July 25, 1930, Helen died on April 7, 2017. The only child of Albert and Ruth Lidbom, she grew up in Aberdeen, Wash., graduating from Weatherwax High School and Grays Harbor Community College. She married Robert Sims in 1953 and quickly had the five children who constituted her ideal-sized family.

After a series of moves, they settled in Kirkland, where Helen lived for over fifty years. A stay-at-home mother, she cared for her children, attended their sporting events, and was active in the PTA. Later she returned to school, earning her degree from the University of Washington. She worked for a bookstore, then for the Lake Washington School District. Helen was an inveterate reader, lover of crossword puzzles and Scrabble, and follower of current and political events. She was proud of her Swedish heritage. 1993 was a special year for her when she both visited Sweden with her cousin, Marian Phipps, and cruised to Alaska with her friend, Edith Patashnik. Helen cherished her friends, as was evidenced at her surprise 80th birthday party, where people from every stage of her life gathered to celebrate with her. She took great delight in her grandchildren and their every accomplishment. Her family was the joy of her life.

Helen was predeceased by her former husband, Bob. She is survived by her children Jennifer, Andrea, Bob, Ben, and Bill; sons-in-law Jamie Van De Vanter and Ethan Patashnik; daughters-in-law Maria Sims and Kuri Teshome; grandchildren Mara, Jordan (Stephen), Max (Tyler), Lindsey (Chad), Megan (Carlos), Joey, Daniel, Derek, David, Bailee, Maddy, Maleda, and Beruk; and great-grandchildren Evie and Lena. She was dearly loved and, though deeply missed, will surely still be part of every family occasion.

A celebration of Helen will be held on Sunday, May 28, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland.