Helen Andersen McMahon

Helen Andersen McMahon was born March 1, 1918, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2014 at Overlake Hospital in the presence of her family. Helen was a community leader, volunteer, artist, historian and pioneer whose impact on her community is a legacy to be remembered.

Helen came to Woodinville in 1923 at the age of five with her Danish parents and lived most her life on the family farm on Hollywood Hill. After graduating from Bothell High School in 1936, Helen married John McMahon and they settled on the family land to raise their three sons.

Launching a life of volunteerism, they played Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for community groups for 34 years. They carried food to local food banks and Seattle homeless shelters and supplied Hopelink. They were recognized often, including Citizens of the Year by the Woodinville Rotary Club. Helen had served the Sammamish Grange, Lady Lions, Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Guild, Northshore Senior Center, Bothell HS Alumni Association and Woodinville Heritage Society and many more. She was a popular speaker about pioneer life in local classrooms, and as an accomplished artist, in 2010 she created a coloring book with Woodinville historic scenes that can now be found in most local elementary schools and available from the Woodinville Heritage Society. Helen’s awards for civic involvement are long and many. Most recently, Helen was honored as a 2012 Northshore Wall of Honor inductee for her long dedication to her community.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, John and sons Johnny and Jim. She is survived by her sister Edith, son Jeffrey and step daughter Diane, her 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 8 great great-grandchildren.

A Community Celebration (open to all) of Helen’s beautiful life will be held Saturday, July 19th at 2pm at the Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. NE Bothell, WA 98011. Memorials in her name can be directed to Woodinville Heritage Society or Bothell HS Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.