Chris Nelson Hellberg died September 18 after a sudden illness.

Lover of family, books, animals, plants and social causes, Chris grew up on Vashon Island, graduating in the class of 1971. During her high school years, she worked for her parents in The Beachcomber office. When she went off to Washington State University in Pullman, she won a scholarship to study in Sweden. She lived there 10 years, met and married a young man from Stockholm, Lars Hellberg, and worked for Northwest Airlines.

Chris returned to the U.S. with her young son, Adam, settling in Southwest Seattle. She was employed at various travel firms and banking institutions, and most recently she was the bookkeeper for a dealership on Auburn’s auto row.

Chris is survived by her son Adam Hellberg, grandson Jacob Hines, mother Nancy Wright and stepfather John Purvis, all of Seattle; brother Eric Nelson and his wife Lori, their children Carly Christophersen and Ben Nelson, “other mother” Hazel Nelson all of Vashon, and three stepsisters, Lisa, Lindy and Jill. Her father Carl Nelson and brother Steve preceded her in death.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, at Gold Mountain Golf Club, in Belfair.