Margaret (Helen) Shipman

July 25, 1948 – June 17, 2020

Surrounded by her loving family and good friends, M. Helen Shipman, 71, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2020, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

She was born on July 25, 1948, to Ernest and Nora Searle. Her family immigrated to the United States from the United Kingdom when she was 7 years of age. They made their home in Olean, New York, where she later graduated from high school. She met and married her husband of 43 years in February of 1969. They had three children: Nora (Gary) Bowman, Helen (Jason) Pilling and Lyle Shipman and friend Jesse Moore as well as former daughter-in-law Jennifer Shipman, all of Moses Lake, Washington. In 1979 M. Helen and family moved from Rochester, New York to Anacortes, Washington, and in 1989 they moved to Moses Lake, Washington, and have continued to make a life here since then.

Most of you will most likely recognize Helen from her place of employment for over 43 years of service working for McDonalds. She has worked over the years at both Moses Lake locations. M. Helen was one of the most kindest women you have ever met. She loved her family and loved to spend time with them fishing, camping and just hanging out. She loved having everyone together for birthdays and barbecues, she loved gardening in her spare time and watching her game shows. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, Ernest and Nora Searle, of Belmont, New York; her husband Irv Shipman of Moses Lake, Washington; her brother-in-law William (Bill) Shipman of La Conner, Washington and two nephews Rick Shipman of Anacortes, Washington, and Robert Shipman of La Conner, Washington. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Ronald McDonald House, or to the American Cancer Society.

A memorial will be held at a later date.