Helen M. Miles, 87, of Kennewick, passed away Sunday, June 19, 2011, the way she had always lived: With spirit, grace and dignity. She died at the Hospice at the Chaplaincy in Kennewick after a decade-long courageous battle with kidney disease. Helen was born in Hoven, South Dakota, to Nick and Emma Meyer on Dec. 29, 1923. While in her 20's, she taught country school in South Dakota. She moved to Richland in 1945 where she worked at the labs at Hanford. Together with her husband Robert 'Bob' Miles of 63 years, they raised six children. Helen never stopped teaching. She taught her children about Faith and Family. She taught them how to stretch a dollar and stretch a meal and how to bear that which sometimes seemed unbearable - as when her two sons died. Helen was ill for many years, but she never complained. She had a smile that could light a room and an abiding belief in God's goodness. She enjoyed family gatherings, cooking, traveling the world, volunteering and playing pinnacle. Most of all, she enjoyed and was so proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren - all of whom from Helen have learned kindness and patience and the importance of family. Helen was the cookie-maker extraordinaire. Every Christmas, she and granddaughters filled the kitchen with the wonderful smells of sugar cookies. Helen is survived by her loving husband, Bob and children Nancy Briggs Steve, Richland; Gary Miles Kennewick, Barbara Schultz Faron, Powell Butte, Ore., Donna Nelson Gene, Spokane, daughterin-laws Marlene and Betty Miles, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and her three sisters, Sylvia, Eileen and Clara. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Urban Meyer, and sons James and Daniel Miles. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, at Mueller's TriCities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union St., Kennewick with Rosary there at 5:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at noon on Wednesday, June 22 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kennewick, where Helen was a longtime parishioner. A graveside service at Desert Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery will follow. Contributions may be made in Helen's name to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick.