Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Helen Louise (Evans) Chitty went to be with the Lord Jesus at the age of 91 in Richland, WA on January 8, 2018 with her family by her side. She was born on July 2, 1926 in Wenatchee, WA to her parents Norman C. Evans & Helen Louise (Wilcox) Evans.
Helen Lou lived a full life dedicated to her family and sharing her gifts and talents with church and friends. She graduated from Chelan High School and opened a hotdog stand at the Chelan City Park to earn money to put herself through Washington State College (WSU) where she earned a BA in Fine Arts and Education. Helen Lou taught swimming at both Chelan and Manson City Parks and worked in the apple packing sheds in Brewster as well as Chelan. She was married at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Log Church in Chelan and then moved to Richland, WA.
Helen Lou taught swimming, art, special education, kindergarten and enjoyed substitute teaching. She was very supportive of and involved with Central Church in Richland and many activities there along with those of Chelan’s Church of the Nazarene and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Log Church. She had been a member of P.E.O. for over 60 years and was involved throughout her life as a Sunday School teacher, Campfire leader, Young Life and Boy Scout supporter, president of Allied Arts and an Alpha Delta Pi Alum. In 1974, Helen Lou was awarded “WSU Mother of the Year.
Together, she and husband Howard, created the summer swimming business, “Chitty’s Swimland” at their home to help develop swimming skills in thousands of children and adults for generations. We celebrated 60 years strong this past year and the legacy will continue this summer 2018. In later years, they owned and operated Ship ‘N Shore Marina & Drive Inn at Lake Chelan.
Her family was the center of her world. Helen Lou enjoyed being a mom, wife and grandmother. She invested time in meaningful family activities and vacations. Howard and Helen Lou were able to celebrate 53 years of marriage before his death. She is survived by her children Bonnie Rogers of Chelan/Costa Rica, Cindy (Tom) Morris of Pasco, Brad Chitty (Leanne) of Richland/Chelan, Tamara (Blaine) Marlin of Richland and her 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and nephews Mark and Mitch Evans of Chelan.
Mrs. Chitty encouraged everyone to be the best they can be and share their faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Norman W. Evans and Chelsie Chitty of Chelan. Helen Lou led her life positively and prayerfully with a passion for continuous learning and was a prayer warrior for others.
A Celebration of Helen Lou’s Life will be held at Central Church, 1124 Stevens Dr., in Richland on Friday, January 19 at 3:30 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to School of Language Arts Ministry in Costa Rica, (cgccostarica.wordpress.com) or Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Express your thoughts and memories of her at: TributeforHLChitty@gmail.com
