Central Washington University Faculty Papers, Helen McCabe, 1956-1980

Helen Margaret Wersen was born November 15, 1915, in Mount Vernon, Washington. After completing primary and high school, she attended Washington State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and a Bachelor of Education degree in 1938.

Wersen taught school in Toppenish, WA, where she first became interested in recreational aspects of physical education. In 1941, she married Burton W. McCabe. She had two children: John Scott, born in 1942, and Ross Burton, born in 1944. She continued to teach at various high schools in Hanford, WA; Portland, OR; and in California.

In 1956, McCabe joined the faculty of Central Washington College of Education and founded the school’s Leisure Services program. In addition to teaching, she earned a Master of Arts degree from Washington State University in 1959 and a doctorate from Indiana University in 1971. Her dissertation, titled “An Analysis of Outdoor Recreation Opportunities on State-Owned Lands in Washington,” was well received by Washington state agencies and was presented to the State Assembly.

While teaching, McCabe remained active in numerous state, regional, and national recreation organizations, serving as president of the Washington Recreation and Park Society and chairman of the Washington State Camping Advisory Committee. She was honored by the Ellensburg, WA, community on several occasions for her support of local recreation programs. The City of Ellensburg’s Park and Recreation Commission presented her with a plaque in 1972 for her work with them from 1964 to 1972. In 1973 the city council presented her with an appreciation certificate. She worked as well with the National Trails Council, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the Pacific Northwest Parks and Recreation Foundation. McCabe served as professor of recreation at Central Washington State College until 1976, when she passed away due to a terminal illness. After her death, the Washington State Parks Commission named a state park at the entrance to the Yakima River Canyon in McCabe’s honor.