An Indianapolis woman known as one of the first women to serve in the Navy during World War II has died. Hellen Guthrie passed away Monday, March 3 at the age of 107. Born in Indianapolis on April 30, 1917, Guthrie was raised by her grandparents in Spencer, Indiana, graduating from Spencer High School in 1934. She worked in a law firm as a secretary after high school when the war offered the first opportunities for women to join the Navy beyond nursing. "I was bored and feeling patriotic," she said. In August 1943, Guthrie became one of the first WAVES — Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service. The branch was established to replace men stationed ashore to provide more sea duty sailors and officers. READ MORE: https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/hellen-guthrie-spencer-indianapolis-indiana-world-war-ii-navy-dies-107/531-819c32ed-1b59-42b7-997e-320dad44562c