Helen Eicher Childers

passed away peacefully on March 25 at her home on Bainbridge Island. She was 94 years of age and born on February 7, 1914.She was a loving wife and proud mother, aunt and sister. Her surviving husband Frank said of their 62 years of marriage, "I couldn't have asked for a sweeter and nicer person to spend my life". Although she was an accomplished artist and hardworking retailer her true passion throughout her life was her family and friends. She exhibited unvarying patience, nourishment and energy in support of the people she loved and cared about. Helen was a good listener and had an extraordinarily sharp memory for people and events so that her family constantly relied on her accurate recall. She was even-tempered, well organized, creative and resourceful, qualities that all who knew her appreciated.Helen was born in Swedish Hospital in Seattle and grew up on 10th Avenue East on Capital Hill. She was a proud graduate of Broadway High School and attended the University of Washington where many life long friendships were made. She later transferred to the Cornish School to study art before becoming the chief fashion illustrator at Rhodes Dept. Store on Second Avenue. During World War II Helen joined the Red Cross and volunteered to go overseas in 1944. Stationed in High Wycombe, northwest of London she met and fell in love with Major Frank Childers from South Carolina. They were married in England on November 15, 1945 and experienced a memorable honeymoon in Scotland. Sons, Frank Jr and Stuart were born in Atlanta after their return. Happily for Helen the new family was able to locate back to the NW in 1950 settling in Aberdeen where a third son Gary was born.After rearing their family in Aberdeen, Helen and Frank moved to Bainbridge Island in 1970 to be closer to family in Seattle. They purchased the Bainbridge Dept. Store the following year and renamed it Childers, providing apparel to a generation of islanders until selling the business in 1986. After retirement Helen's interest returned to art. She loved the socialization and instruction in the art classes she took and enjoyed painting well into her later life. She was a loyal and devoted member of Alpha Phi Sorority, Bainbridge PEO, Wing Point Golf Club and Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church.She was preceded in death by her son Gary and sisters Mary Richards and Dorothy Hollenbeck. She will be forever remembered by her husband Frank; sons Frank Jr (Mary Terry) and Stuart (Wendy) of Bainbridge; brother John Eicher of Seattle; grandchildren Brant (Michele) of Simi Valley, CA; Cole (Stacey) and great-granddaughter Grace of Norfolk, VA; Katy of Seattle; Anne and Claire of Brooklyn, NY and 15 nieces and nephews including Shirley Kiang of Seattle.A memorial service commemorating Helen's life will be held at Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church on April 5 at noon. A private burial will be on Bainbridge Island. Remembrances may be made to Helpline of Bainbridge Island in the name of Helen and Gary Childers.Arrangements entrusted Cook Family Funeral Home.