The original words of Helen Louise Mahre, who passed away at Cottage in The Meadow on Monday, June 24th. Helen was born on July 20, 1933, in Springfield, MO. She lived in the Yakima Valley (Lombard Loop) for 80 years.

If you are reading this, I must be dead, or not, depending on your beliefs. I believe in a force called God, and I am certainly curious if there is a life after death, or if I will join my friends and relatives in the heavens above. I wonder if there is weather in the hereafter; a warm sun, a rolling thunderstorm, or freshly fallen glistening snow. I wonder if I can watch over my family and friends left behind. A lover of a good mystery novel, I finally solved the ultimate mystery: What lies in the great beyond!

I have been extremely fortunate during my life, as I've had opportunities to enjoy a huge family, many unique friends, and a much longer life than I ever thought possible; much travel; 72 years of marriage to a man who loved me; my own business, The Terra; raising and racing thoroughbred horses, a self-designed ranch home on Lombard Loop, and cabins in the mountains to raise our four children, our Cuban sons, Hector and Octavio Delgado, who came to our family through Operation Peter Pan, and our special nieces, Jill and Julie Anne. I wish no services, just your memories, for if you remember me, I have had some influence on your life, which justifies a reason for my existence.

I have been preceded in death by my parents, Oran and Wanita Collins, my firstborn son, Rick Mahre, my daughter, Gretchen Mahre, and my youngest son, Patrick Mahre.

I am survived by my loving husband, Fred Mahre, who was my caregiver and partner for 72 adventurous years. I am also survived by my daughter, Terra, Mahre, (Ron), and their children Kyle Mahre, Bethany Mahre(Jon), and their son, Silas.

I am also survived by two special nieces, Jill (Ted) Barnes and their daughters, Elizabeth and Victoria, and Julie (Dennis) Riedmiller and their son, Jackson.

My incredible grandchildren who gave me their affection and love include Colby, Charlie, and Kelly Mahre, children of Patrick (Julie Marie), who is a very special daughter-in-law, and Jeb Stuart Mahre, child of Rick (Valerie Hill). I received a gift of love through my great-granddaughters, Madison and Rylie Bachmeier (Charlie).

I remember and give thanks for many, many good friends and I thank God for them. I'll be seeing you, just remember me in your thoughts or the next time you see a woman in a jaw-dropping ensemble with a matching hat, and I am alive again!

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Rod's House in Yakima, WA.

A Celebration of Life will be held in August 2024.