Helen Spencer Virsack, age 81, died at Harbor Care of Oak Harbor on Nov. 22, 2007, following a lengthy illness. She was born in Newport, R.I., on March 16, 1926, to Samuel and Helen (Pierson) Spencer.

Helen was raised in Newport. In 1953, she married Harry Stanley, a career naval officer. Helen was a homemaker and stay at home mom. She traveled from coast to coast, following Harry’s naval assignments. Harry retired in 1962 and they settled in Southern California.

Harry passed away in 1981 and Helen traveled to Seattle to visit her daughter. While there she ventured out and discovered Oak Harbor. She fell in love with the island, returned to California to sell her house and made Oak Harbor her new home.

Helen soon joined St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. While attending church, she discovered Ed Virsack, her mail carrier, also attended the same church. They began dating and on Nov. 14, 1986, she and Ed were married.

Helen and Ed lived in Oak Harbor, but decided to try living in Cocoa Beach, Fla. After a couple of years they discovered the heat and humidity were not for them and returned to Oak Harbor. As her health failed, she was eventually moved to Harbor Care.

Helen is survived by her husband Ed of Oak Harbor and by two children, Hal (Sandy) Stanley of Denver, Colo. and Sylvia Stanley of Seattle. Her parents and brother Neil Spencer preceded her in death.

Funeral Mass for Helen Virsack will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor with Rev. Philip Raether as Celebrant. Rites of Committal will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery with a reception to follow at Rhimes Hall at the church. Rosary will be recited on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Skagit Hospice or St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.