Helen D. McAfee of Hermiston passed away peacefully with family at her side in Richland, Wash. at the age of 81.
She was born Helen Darrelene Wallace at her grandparents’ home in Stanfield to Linis and Darrell Eugene Wallace on Dec. 26, 1942. Her middle name is a mix of Darrell and Eugene. After her mother and father divorced, they later adopted Bert Rozema as husband and dad.
Helen attended Hermiston schools from first grade through 12th grade. Helen’s biggest joy in life was her family. She was the oldest of five siblings, and she was always their biggest supporter. She married John Dyer and had three children, Toni, Sandi, and Todd. When John and Helen divorced they moved to Portland, where there was work she could do to support her family. She was determined to raise her kids without assistance. She worked tirelessly to provide for her children as best as she could, and she loved her children beyond measure. She worked at Armour Meat Co. for nine years before moving back to Hermiston, where she worked at Gus’ Umatilla IGA and later at Mayfair Markets in Tri-Cities, Wash. She spent most of her career working as a meat wrapper. It was a job she loved and that gained her many lifelong friends. While working at Mayfair Markets, Helen met and married Albert McAfee in 1984. Al had children and grandchildren of his own, and Helen welcomed them to the family with open arms and loved them like her own. They lived in Eugene, Mesa, Ariz. and Vancouver, Wash., where she worked for Albertson’s.
Al and Helen moved back to the Hermiston area in the mid-‘90s and together with Dick Maxwell, they developed subdivisions and built beautiful homes in the Hermiston area, shaping much of Hermiston into what it is today. Sadly, Al passed away in 2010. She did her best to keep going and eventually found solace in being alone and filled her time with endless acts of service and love for her many friends and family. Helen only recently decided that she was ready to spend time with another gentleman. And a gentleman he was. Benson quickly
gained the love of the family because he treated Helen with the love, respect, and admiration that she deserved, and he had the patience of a saint. Benson did not get much time to spend with Helen before her passing, but he stayed by her side until the very end and did everything he could to make her happy.
Helen was an incredible woman. She blessed everyone she met with her warm smile, infectious sense of humor, and unwavering faith. She truly had a servant’s heart and spent countless hours of her life making everyone feel loved, appreciated, heard, supported, and special. She never let anyone go hungry and spread the word of God’s love, one heart at a time. Helen was a member of the Hermiston Christian Center since 1996.
Helen enjoyed all of the beautiful things in life. She immensely enjoyed the beauty of the outdoors and all its creatures. She was a talented artist and created beautiful paintings, often inspired by nature. She enjoyed taking drives with her mother Linis and searching for deer or any other wildlife they could spot. Helen also loved to travel and did so as much as she could. She always took lots of pictures and always came home with a funny story or two from her travels.
Helen became ill around Easter of this year. Her illness was aggressive and took a toll on her body, however she never lost her strong will and humor. Helen’s faith remained steadfast as she fought. She asked for and received prayers from anyone willing to give them and the outpouring of love was incredible, but she was ready to go home to Jesus. She passed away peacefully and on her own terms and she was surrounded by her family.
Helen is survived by her children, Sandra Neddo and husband Nick, and Toni Houston and husband Phillip Houston; stepchildren, Terry McAfee and wife Jackie, and Thomas McAfee; mother, Linis Rozema; siblings, Morris Rozema and wife Joni, Mavis Fletcher and husband Rich, Brad Rozema, Terry Rozema, and Liz Smith and her husband Greg; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.
Helen went home to Jesus and found her eternal peace alongside her grandparents, Fenner and Truvillah Foster; her dad, Bert Rozema; her husband, Albert McAfee; her son, Todd Dyer; and a grandchild, Melanie Wood.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Hermiston Christian Center, 1825 W. Highland Ave.
Always prepared, Helen asked that in lieu of flowers, you donate to the Mission Fund at Hermiston Christian Center.
Please share memories of Helen with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
