PAULSEN, Helen B. (Age 96) 

Helen B. Paulsen, who watched downtown Spokane's
transformation over the last half century atop the
Paulsen Building, passed away March 12, 2007, on her
96th birthday, after a short battle with acute
leukemia. She was born Helen Elizabeth Baines, on a
moving train, while her mother was traveling from
Philadelphia to California, just outside of Tucson,
Arizona. Her husband was Clarence I. "Cippy" Paulsen,
Sr., whom she married on February 6, 1931, at the age
of 19. She graduated from the Santa Barbara Finishing
School For Girls. Her father was Dr. Matthew C. Baines
and her mother was Annette Tattersol Baines. They were
involved in everything from aviation to mining in
Alaska over the decades that followed. Their marriage
lasted 50 years, until Cippy, Sr., died in 1981. Mrs.
Paulsen had two children, Helen P. Kinley and Clarence
I. "Cip" Paulsen, Jr. In 1958, they moved in to the
Paulsen Building penthouse after his mother, Myrtle
Paulsen, passed away. Mrs. Paulsen hadn't driven since
1949. She was often seen walking around the downtown
area, and enjoyed visiting and saying "hello" to
people she encountered. From the Tea Room at the old
Crescent Department Store to Ankeny's atop the nearby
Ridpath Hotel, to symphony concerts and services at
Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, in the skywalks and on
the sidewalks, Helen Paulsen was a well-known figure.
Helen was on the board of the Campbell House and
throughout the years spent summers at Lake Coeur
d'Alene, Hayden Lake, Kootenai Lake, B.C. and at
Bayview with Cippy on their boat. She was a past
member of the Spokane Country Club, Spokane Club, the
Hayden Lake Country Club and the Spokane Junior
League. Many people over the years would look at the
top of the Paulsen building and see "the tree" on her
terrace which she lovingly nourished along with her
geraniums. In 1996, 67 years after it was first
planted, the tree fell victim to the Ice Storm.
Survivors include her daughter, Helen P. Kinley, son,
Clarence I. Paulsen Jr. and daughter-in-law Ottile
Paulsen, all of Spokane, and former daughter-in-law,
Evelyn S. Paulsen of Portland, OR; grandchildren Mark
Kinley of Galveston and Arthur Kinley of Los Angeles;
Clarence I. "Cip" Paulsen III of Spokane and
Cristianne Paulsen and Michael Paulsen of Portland.
Special thanks go to Hospice of Spokane and longtime
caregiver Sheryl Rice. Friends who wish may make
memorial contributions to the Poor Clare Sisters or
the Campbell House. Visitation for Mrs. Paulsen will
be Friday, March 16, from noon to 8PM at the funeral
home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at
St. Augustine Catholic Church, 428 W. 19th Ave,
Spokane, WA on Saturday, March, 17, 2007 at 10AM. A
committal service will follow the Mass at Riverside
Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to


Mar 15, 2007
Spokesman-Review