Memories

I only got to know this most incredible lady for a short period of time but everyday spent with her was always a blast. Every Saturday, this last summer, I would come visit Mary Helen and we would load up in her vegans go for a drive. On our way back we always made sure to stop and get a pretzel, she loved the pretzels that were provided by poor Betty’s. I remember one time I was driving with her and someone was walking across the street, so I started slowing down, after the pedestrian passed by, Mary Helen looks at me and says, “that person would’ve been 100 points.” And then turns to look out the window. I started laughing so hard and was so caught off guard that she said that. This is only a small chunk of the humor I had the opportunity to witness from Mary Helen. I will forever cherish the summer I had the opportunity to spend with MH.

Mary Helen stories do my heart so well.

I was a brand new crew chief and we were still in the early stages of trying to convince Mary Helen that it would really be okay if we helped her prep the soup a few mornings a week so she wasn't having to do it 7 days a week like she had for so many years. The very first morning I was put on soup duty I arrived early and climbed aboard the Glacier Spirit with my backpack, a coffee, and a Safeway donut. The boat was chilly and quiet. I set down my backpack on an empty bench and began stacking the lunch trays that had been left out to dry the night before. I heard a faint noise and looked into the galley to see Mary Helen's head pop out from the corner of the galley counter where the garbage can typically sat. I yelled in surprise, she yelled back to tease me. She was officially off soup duty that morning, but she figured she would still come early to scrub the floor beneath the galley garbage can and ensure the dock was free of cigarette butts and other trash before our passengers boarded for the day. After getting to know Mary Helen better this interaction shocked me far less than it did that morning. Adequate was never good enough, the small details mattered immensely, and if one thing on our trips was guaranteed it was that Mary Helen was always going to keep us on our toes.

When Mary Helen was moving from her home into Colleen's I got to spend some time helping her check things off her to-do list for the move. One afternoon she informed me that she had a large donation for the Valdez Senior Center. She directed me to the items to go and I loaded them in the car. As I finished she jumped into the driver's seat and bellowed "get in!" I hopped in and off we zoomed. We reached the senior center, Mary Helen parked the car, got halfway out, got back in, and informed me that I was going to need to unload because she didn't have shoes on. She was wearing shoes before we left! Where did her shoes go?! I unloaded the car and we drove back home. Sitting perfectly on the driveway were Mary Helen's shoes. She chuckled "there they are!" She parked the car right next to them, slipped them back on, and headed back into the house like nothing happend.

Spending time with Mary Helen was consistently the most joyful adventure.

Working in Alaska tourism for many years I knew both MH and Stan through associations and meetings. Later in my professional life I got to know Colleen more as a friend and visited her and her family in Valdez a couple of times. One memory I have of visiting with Colleen and Mary Helen was when they moved into a new house. MH sweetly showed me her own room and then hung out with us. She sent fresh peaches home with me and my family back to Anchorage. She was so kind and warm hearted and funny. I’ll miss seeing her!

It was my great joy and pleasure to serve with Mary Helen during the height of COVID. As we volunteered to help bring vaccines and help to our community. She wanted to and did help at every clinic that she could. What an example of love. I found joy in watching her “strength” as she found joy in serving. Thank you Mary Helen for example to me. You will be missed.

A few years back (7? 8?) I had the opportunity to pilot a boat for Stan Stephens Cruises for a little over a month as a fill-in captain. While there Colleen (the second sweetest woman in the world :) ) warned me that her mom, Mary Helen, was a force to reckon with.. in the best way. I remember Colleen telling me not to try and help her because she was young at heart and would do everything the crew would do. That’s right, in her later years, still on the water, still tying lines, still carrying around massive buoys, and heavy pots of “soup snacks”. I remember the warning from Colleen so clearly, and it made me a little nervous to meet Mary Helen for the first time. I kicked ed it to meeting a mob boss. Then after meeting her on board, I couldn’t stop watching her. She was no mob boss… but a matriarch for sure! She knew her shit, and she worked so fast! Everyone on board really looked up to her. Everyone was there for her, but careful not to help when help wasn’t needed. I later stayed with her at her house for a week and she welcomed me with open arms. She made me feel, even if brief, that I was a part of the Stan Stephens Cruises Family. I am sad to hear of her passing, however am elated at her impact on her family, her business, her community, and me. An amazing woman who I will always have the fondest memories of.

This was just a few weeks back. Mary Helen and Jenny K. came into the store. I stopped to ask what they were up to that day.

Jenny: “We just drove up to Keystone Canyon. Mary Helen needed her ice fix.”

Mary Helen, rather indignantly: “I do not need my eyes fixed!”

Such an incredible honor to have known such a strong willed and remarkable woman. Heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.

I used to love working on the boats with Mary Helen! She was so straightforward, confident, and just loved being out there and showing people The Sound. I remember on the Glacier Spirit when we were in the galley at the same time running into each other, she called it "rump bumping"! She was a treasure and a delight.

Mary Helen was a great American! The Prince William Sound, Alaska and America is a truly better place because of her presence. Angels walk among us, until they get wings. The Northern Lights will shine more brightly now. Mary Helen and Stan are together again.