Helen L. Barrier Smith, 91
Helen L. Barrier Smith, 91, passed away May 27, 2007, in Gresham, Ore.
Helen was born in Poplar, on May 15, 1916, to Chester and Nanna Schram. She attended grade school in Seattle, where her dad owned a grocery store. They moved to Kellogg, Idaho, when she was in the first grade. She graduated from Kellogg High School at l6 years of age.
She loved piano and took lessons most of her school years.
During an ice skating party in Wallace in 1935 she met Marvin Barrier. They were married in 1938. They bought a soda fountain/candy store called the Buttercup in Wallace, Idaho. The couple had four children; Janice Marlene, James Marvin, William Arthur and Brenda Nan. They moved to Mullan, Idaho in 1950 where they operated the Morning Hotel for the Morning Mine. When the mine was closed in 1953 they moved to Kalispell. Where they again owned and operated a soda fountain/candy store called Marvin's.
In 1965 they divorced and Helen moved back to Kellogg, Idaho to care for her elderly parents. She went to work for the Bunker Hill Co. as a secretary to the manager of research. She worked there for 13 years and retired in 1979.
In 1975 she met and married Stanley K. Smith. Together they enjoyed spending time on their boat, water skiing, picnicking and camping. In 1976 they built a home on a bill overlooking Osburn, Idaho. They lived there until 1992 when they moved to Gresham.
A highlight of Helen's life was being a member of P.E.O. She was initiated in Chapter AL in Mullan in 1952, then transferred to Chapter C in Kalispell, and then belonged to Chapter M in Kellogg, Idaho. While living in Kellogg she was elected to the State Board of Officers in Idaho in 1983. She served six years and was State President in 1989. In Gresham Oregon she belonged to Chapter DW. She was honored a few years ago as a 50-year member.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; two brothers; and her beloved son, Jim in 2000.
She was very proud of Jim representing the U.S. in the 1960 Winter Olympics as a downhill ski racer.
Survivors include her husband, Stanley K. Smith of Gresham, Ore.; and her children, Bill Barrier and wife, Barbara, of Spokane, Brenda Probert and husband, Ed of Kalispell, and Janice Erickson of Gresham. She leaves seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.