Obituary of Mary Helen Pothier

Mary Helen (Stewart) Pothier, 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Olympia, Washington.

Helen was born in Colfax, Washington, on November 21, 1933, to William and Catherine (Sullivan) Stewart. She was the youngest of three children. She was preceded in death by her husband Cecil “Bob” Pothier; both parents; son, Bill Chamberland; brother, Don Stewart; sister, Edna Hinchcliffe; and her great-grandchild, Joelle Sylvester. Helen is survived by daughters, Cathy English of Tenino, and Linda (Brooke) Alguire of Olympia; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Helen retired from the Department of Social and Health Services in the early ‘90s. She loved to do all types of handwork, knitting, crocheting, crafting, gardening, taking family camping trips, traveling and spending hours with friends and family doing jigsaw puzzles and playing games. As a member of the First Baptist Church of Olympia since 1942, she served on many boards and committees and was active in the church’s women’s work.

Helen was known for her matchmaking skills and introduced many couples, many resulting in marriages/families. She had a wicked sense of humor and once, while hunting in the Capitol Forrest, accidentally honked the truck horn just as Bob was sneaking up and taking aim at a tree full of pigeons; needless-to-say, Bob didn’t get his bird! Helen was a loving mother and grandmother, always spoiling her family with homemade snickerdoodles and apple pies.

Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Olympia.

Services will take place Friday, March 17, 2023, at Olympia First Baptist Church, 904 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501. The viewing will start at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m.  There will be a lunch/reception after the service.  A graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. at Odd Fellows Memorial Park, 3802 Cleveland Ave. SE, Tumwater, WA 98501.

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