Helen Elaine Brink (nee Reiley)

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Helen Elaine Brink, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, mentor, and friend. Helen passed away peacefully at her Port Townsend home of 59 years on September 28, 2025, with family by her side.

Helen’s life was defined by devotion to her family, students, and community. On June 2, 2025, just one day before their 64th wedding anniversary, she lost her husband, Ken, the love of her life. Those who knew her believe her heart never truly recovered from that loss.

Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Helen was raised on Vashon Island, Washington, the daughter of James and Esther Reilly. She graduated from Vashon High School in 1957 and attended Washington State University, where she met Ken. During college, she worked summers at Boeing as a parts clerk/typist and during the 1959-60 school year at WSU’s Holland Library. Both she and Ken graduated from WSU on May 28, 1961, and were married shortly after, on June 3, 1961, at the Burton Community Church on Vashon Island. After a honeymoon in British Columbia, they settled in Port Townsend, where they built a life together centered around family, education, and service.

Helen began her long and impactful teaching career at Port Townsend High School (PTHS) in the fall of 1961. Over the years, she taught a wide range of classes, including girls’ health, business/law, typing, computer applications, bookkeeping/accounting, business machines, and office procedures. She served as the vocational program department head, was a member of the technology team, and represented Port Townsend School District as the Tech Prep representative at the Olympic Peninsula Consortium from 1993 to 1996. She also served as the vocational representative to the principal’s cabinet, and was a member of the school improvement team.

Helen was an active member of the Washington State Business Education Association and served on its board of directors from 1977 to 1980. She was the PTHS vocational department chairperson from 1989 to 1996, secretary of the Port Townsend Education Association from 1988 to 1992, and a member of the PTHS site council from 1992 to 1996. Helen volunteered as an official at PTHS track meets, helped coordinate the Pathways program, worked at the Magnet Center, and even helped coach 7th and 8th grade girls’ basketball in 1988.

Early in her career, Helen continued her education through summer courses at Western Washington University and through extension classes offered by Peninsula College. She taught at PTHS for 25 years, with a break from fall 1964 to spring 1975 to focus on what mattered most to her: raising their four children, two sons and twin daughters.

Even during those busy years at home, Helen’s passion for education never faded. She taught eight sessions of evening classes (SECR 101, B.A. 161, and later SECR 11) through the Port Townsend Adult Education Program at Peninsula College, served as a substitute teacher at PTHS and taught summer school for several years. She also found time to support her family in other ways. She worked many hours over those years for both B&R Investment and Brink & Clouse, doing bookkeeping, typing and filing. For a short time, she worked at Lance Imports in inventory management and bookkeeping, and served as financial secretary at Port Townsend Preschool for several years.

Even while balancing her career and raising a family, she devoted herself to community service. After retiring from PTHS in June 1996, she continued that spirit of service through countless volunteer roles and community projects.

Helen was a founding member of the PTHS Booster Club, where she supported the Super Booster program, helped with membership drives, served as treasurer, and was a member of the investment committee. She served as an advisor for both FBLA and Key Club at PTHS, as well as for Builder’s Club at Blue Heron. A dedicated supporter of community athletics, Helen co-founded the Rhody Run, served on the Port Townsend Marathon Association Executive Board from 1979 to 1992, coordinated volunteers and served as co-meet director with Ken for the 1986 and 1987 state A/B, AA, and AAA cross-country championships held at Fort Worden, and helped coordinate the Rhody Run/Port Townsend Marathon from 1992 to 1996.

Helen was a 21-year member of the Daughters of Norway, Thea Foss Lodge #45. In June 2009 and June 2010, Helen served as the anchorwoman for a simulated television news broadcast, “Channel 45: KTEA Nordic News,” at the Tri-Area Community Center, where current events from Scandinavian countries were presented by members of the lodge.

Her civic involvement extended even further. She was a past member of the Mothers of Twins Club, served on both the Jefferson County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board and the Jefferson County Community Network Board, and along with Ken, served as Deputy Director for the Olympic Peninsula for the WSU Alumni Association from 1990 to 1996. Helen also belonged to the Jefferson General Hospital Auxiliary and served as their corresponding secretary from 1998 to 2000. She was a 58-year member of the Dr. Ray Crist Orthopedic Guild, where she was charter president in 1967 and secretary from 1996 to 1998.

Helen was a proud 31-year member of the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club, where she held leadership roles as

• Secretary (2004-08)

• Co-President with Jim Strong and Al Ryan (2011-12), and with Al Ryan (2012-13)

• Young Children Priority One Co-Chair with Louise Raymond (1994-2017)

• Key Club Advisor (1994-2013)

• Key Club PNW Area Administrator (1997-99)

She received many honors, including district-level awards:

• Lifetime Achievement Award (2014)

• Outstanding Achievement Award (2004-05)

• PNW Helping Hands Award (2007-08)

and club awards:

• Hixson Award

• Kiwanian of the Year (1996-97)

• President’s Award (2002-03 and 2015-16)

• Eagle Award (2003-04)

• Alongside Ken: Best Damn Past President’s Award (2015) and Dynamic Duo Award (2007-08)

Helen was also an active volunteer for club projects such as the Northwest Kiwanis Camp (Camp Beausite Northwest), the Teen Leaders Awards, and Christmas for Children.

In addition to her civic involvement, Helen was deeply committed to advancing opportunities for women and education through her long association with the American Association of University Women (AAUW). A dedicated member for 64 years, she served as membership chair in 1966, president of the Port Townsend Branch from 1972 to 1974, and hosted the branch’s 25th-anniversary celebration in 1973.

In 1994, a group of AAUW Port Townsend members established the University Women’s Foundation (UWF), a nonprofit organization created to ensure that locally raised funds would remain within the community. Helen served as UWF vice president of finance/treasurer from 1997 to 1999. In 1998, Helen was honored with the AAUW Port Townsend Branch Woman of Excellence Award and received the Best Supporting Board Member Award in 2002 for her ongoing contributions. UWF and AAUW Port Townsend continue to work hand in hand to support scholarships and community grants for women and girls.

Helen and Ken’s deep love for their community was evident in everything they did. In 1986, they were honored as Jefferson County Citizen of the Year, a reflection of their tireless dedication to service. Nearly three decades later, in 2015, they received the Kiwanis Heart of Service Award, recognizing a lifetime of giving back.

The Rhododendron Festival held a special place in their hearts. In 1997, they proudly co-chaired the Grand Parade alongside their dear friends, Candace and Larry Mulvey. Helen also served as secretary of the Rhododendron Festival Association from 1995 to 1998 and contributed behind the scenes as a member of the Grand Parade Committee from 1988 to 1997. In 2008, Helen and Ken were crowned Rhododendron Festival Senior Royalty, a fitting tribute to their lifelong generosity and quiet dedication to the community.

Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Helen found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She was a lifelong stamp collector, loved playing tennis, golf, and bridge, and was a member of both the PT Weavers’ Guild and Key City Investors. She was also a devoted participant in the family fantasy football league (GO Cougar Cats!). Helen cherished time with family and friends, loved to travel, was a die-hard fan of the Mariners and the Seahawks, and was an avid ice skater in her younger years. She often reminisced about skating on the frozen Kai Tai Lagoon or on the backyard basketball court. At their Redwood Street home, Ken would create a personal ice rink just for her by boarding up the court and flooding it, a gesture she treasured deeply. One of her greatest joys was cheering on her children and, later, her grandchildren at their sporting events.

Helen is survived by her four children: Gregory (Susan) Brink of Bainbridge Island, Jeffery (Kippi) Brink of Ridgefield, Sharon Brink of Port Townsend, and Sandra Brink of Buckley. She also leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren: Byron, Cameron, Casey, Kaylene, Corey, Riley, Anna, and Elizabeth, as well as her nephews Steven and Patrick Reilly, and niece Suzanne (Reilly) Durrett.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth Dean Brink; her parents, James Philip and Astrid “Esther” Margareta (Moe) Reilly; her brother, Michael Kiernan Reilly; her sister-in-law, Marjorie Edith (Whaley) Reilly West; and her in-laws, William Roy and Doris Eloise (Den Beste) Brink.

The words above can only begin to capture the depth of Helen’s devotion to her family, her quiet leadership, her deep commitment to community, and the warmth she brought to everyone around her. She was a steady, kind, and generous presence, one who made the world better through thousands of quiet, essential acts of kindness. Her gentle spirit, loving heart, and enduring grace will be missed beyond measure.

A private family graveside service was held at Laurel Grove Cemetery on October 11, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen’s memory to the Port Townsend Kiwanis Club (ptkiwanis.org/donate) or to the Port Townsend University Women’s Foundation (www.aauwpt.org/donate).

A public Celebration of Life will be held Saturday March 21st 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St. Port Townsend, WA.