09/07/1919 – 10/09/2012
Helen Lois Edwards passed away on October 9, 2012 in Bellingham. She was born September 7, 1919 in Adair, IA to Frank and Rosa Benton. She married James Arthur Edwards on April 7, 1951 in Sheridan, WY. Helen and James owned and operated The New Martinsons Dress Shop in Bellingham for 19 years. She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, P.E.O., the YWCA and the Bellingham Yacht Club. She was a lifetime member of Soroptimist, Int. and had served on the boards of the Salvation Army, the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce and museumwow.com. Helen was an original organizer for the Business and Professional Women’s Organization and received the Jean Horst Memorial Award for outstanding service in 1991. She was part of the RNC Presidential Victory Team and was invited to the Presidential Inauguration in 2005. Helen was preceded in death by her husband James. She is survived by her brother Orville Benton, many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Memorials may be made to P.E.O., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Endowment Fund or museumwow.com. A Memorial Service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham on Wednesday, October 17th at 2pm with Rev. Jonathon Weldon officiating.