Helen Leach

HELEN MARIE WILSON LEACH 1917-2016 Helen Marie Wilson Leach, 98, passed away, Thursday, February 11, at home in Granger, surrounded by family. She was born Oct. 1917, in a small house near Burke Jct. in Grant County, WA to Everette Glenn and Clara Belle (Strong) Wilson. When she was five, the family moved to Plank Road south of Toppenish, where they farmed. Helen and her brother rode their horses to the Alfalfa School. In 1934, Helen graduated from Sunnyside High School as Salutatorian of her class. In November 5, 1934, she married the love of her life, Roy Leach, of Sunnyside. They were married 65 years. After moving 13 times the first three years they were married, they moved to a small farm on the Satus where they built a 14’ X 24’ two room house for $185. That house grew as the family grew. Helen and Roy farmed on the Satus for 40 years and upon retirement, moved to Granger. Helen was an outstanding homemaker and seamstress. She was also an avid student of the Bible. She was a natural born teacher and taught a Sunday School Class for over 60 years. She passed on her Christian heritage to her family. Her grandchildren all knew that Grandma had a “hot line to heaven.” She was a gracious lady. Helen is survived by seven children: Dr. Ernest (Romayne) Leach, Mineral Bluff, GA; Marie (Ken) Smith, Granger; Marjorie (Howard) Ediger, Bend, OR; Martha (Don) Boss, Pasco; Marilyn Cannon, Long Creek, OR; David (Janet) Leach, Granger; Dale (Dorothy) Leach, Orlando, FL. She was loved and adored by 22 grandchildren 44 great- grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Everett Wilson, son-in-law, Jim Cannon and one great-grandson, Dakota Leach. Special thanks to Helen’s loving caregiver Teresa Cardenas. A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at the Church of the Nazarene, 203 Miles Drive, Zillah, WA ,on Saturday, Feb. 20th at 1:00 p.m. Arrangements by Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah. Memories can be shared at www.valleyhillsfh.com. Donations can be made in her memory to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission, P. O. Box 565, Yakima, WA 98907. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Leach, please visit our flower store.