Helen Ione Stewart, 87, of Oak Harbor, passed away on March 29, 2010, at Regency on Whidbey Harbor Care.

Mrs. Stewart was born in Wheatland, Penn., on Aug. 3, 1922, to Leander and Florence (McGrath) Cassidy. She was raised in Sharon, Penn., where she graduated from Sharon High School. On Sept. 24, 1945, Helen married Theodore Hofius Stewart in New York City. The couple made their home in Sharon for several years, moving briefly to Southern California. After returning to Sharon for a short time, they moved back to California and settled in Whittier in 1958.

After raising a family, Helen became a medical transcriptionist, holding this position for eight years. Upon retirement, she and her husband moved to Capitola, Calif., near Santa Cruz. Theodore Stewart passed away in 2001, and Helen moved to Salem, Ore., to live near her daughter and son-in-law there. In 2004 she moved to Oak Harbor. Helen was fascinated by genealogy and pursued that hobby with a passion. She was also a past member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Helen is survived by two daughters, Nancy Hopple (Steve) of La Habra, Calif., and CDR Mary Stewart (USN, Ret) of Oak Harbor; son-in-law Garey Price of Salem; one granddaughter, Rebecca Medley of Lancaster, Calif.; and two great-grandchildren, Sarah Melissa and Wyatt Theodore Medley. In addition to her husband, she was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jayne Helen Stewart in 2003.

The Stewart family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the wonderful and loving care that their mother received while at Regency on Whidbey Harbor Care and for the support and care provided by Skagit Hospice.

Services will be private. Memorials are suggested to WAIF Animal Shelter, 20168 SR 20, Coupeville, WA 98239. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com.