Helen Lagmay
Helen Isabell Lagmay, 79, passed away at home on July 2, 2016. Helen was born September 4, 1936 in Denver, CO to Benny and Mary Lagmay. The family moved to Stockton, CA in 1942 and then in 1946 to Wapato, WA, where Helen grew up along with her many siblings on her father’s farm.
Helen graduated from Wapato High School in 1955. After graduation Helen attended Yakima Valley College. She moved 
to Seattle where she was employed by Boeing for a short time later getting a job at Blackstock Lumber Company where she worked until her retirement in 2001.
Helen spent 54 years with her life partner, Thomas M. Graham. Thomas passed away on March 8, 2016.
Helen enjoyed cooking, gardening, attending various Seattle celebrations, and traveling to Europe, Japan, Mexico, Canada and the good old USA. She enjoyed taking care of her nieces and nephews and on many occasions would take them on road trips. They will have many fond memories and stories of their adventures with Auntie Helen. Helen was a loving, nurturing woman and even though she had no children of her own, she was known to relatives and friends as “”Mother Helen”. Her other affectionate nickname was “Shorty” because she was short. She was passionate about keeping in touch with relatives and with her passing, the family will surely feel a void in this area.
For 20 years Helen was a participant in several diabetes research studies done by the Diabetes Research Group, VA Puget Sound Health Care System. The latest study, the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcome Study (DPPOS), examined the long-term effects of interventions on the development of type 2 diabetes as well as diabetes-related health problems and cancer diagnosis. She was adamant about following their instructions and kept right on task as to what was expected of her. The research staff all knew her and stated she will be missed.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Benny and Mary Lagmay; her twin brother, Samuel; her brother, David; and nephew, Scott Lagmay Campbell.
Helen is survived by 5 sisters: Andrea Korrell of Seattle, WA; Eileen Garza of Las Vegas, NV; Carmel Sullivan, of Olympia, WA.; Gail Silsby of Honolulu, HI.; Susie Pasco of Wahiawa, HI. She is also survived by 4 brothers; Leonard, Tommy, and Augie Lagmay of Seattle, WA.; Chuckie Lagmay of Wapato, WA. She is survived by 11 nephews, 4 nieces and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Helen, until we meet again. You will be missed. Aloha to are beloved sister.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at 1 p.m. at 7545 45th Ave NE. Seattle, WA 98115. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Helen’s memory to the American Diabetes Association.