Helen Thompson was nothing short of a legend at Schweitzer. She raised her family here and worked at Schweitzer for several years. Her perma-grin greeted guests in the Lakeview Lodge at the “Ask Helen” table where she provided information to guests and would offer advice if asked.
I met Helen around her 80th birthday. She was looking for a way to stay active and get back to a place she loved – Schweitzer. At that time we were doing Elderhostels several times a year and she became a host for those programs. While we initially worried about having someone in their 8th decade keep up, our worries soon became how to keep up with her. Once she had a hiking stick in hand you had to work to keep pace. Our guests marveled at this wonder woman with a heart of gold.
But it was her stories that kept us all enamored. Stories of going to college when that was not something that women did. Stories of losing the love of her life too early and raising a family on her own. Stories of a career working for the US Forest Service while raising a family. Most of all, I loved her advise about how to raise good kids. She knew how to do it and did it well. She knew the value of hard work and ethics and lived it as well as taught it.
Helen was a pioneer woman who lived what she believed. I will forever cherish the hours we spent and the gift she gave to the mountain. When you needed anything you could just ASK HELEN. Rest in peace Helen – you deserve it.
Mary Weber-Quinn
Schweitzer Director of Events and Activities
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