Helen Margaret Mills
Born September 21, 1929
Helen Margaret Mills, age 85, departed this life at Seasons Hospice surrounded by her family, on October 16, 2014.
Helen was born in Ambler, Pennsylvania to Catherine Eva (Connelly) and William John McCans on September 21, 1929. She lived and went to school in Ambler until she married the love of her life, Preston Mills on January 20, 1951. They moved to Newark, Delaware where Helen remained for her life. Helen and Preston raised three daughters and created a foundation of love upon which an incredibly close-knit family was built and continues to grow.
Helen worked at Crown Zellerbach from 1972 until she retired in 1991. After retirement, she volunteered her time with the Mended Hearts, where she counseled families of heart surgery patients for 23 years. She was a comfort to many within that role.
Helen’s greatest joy was her family. She was incredibly proud of and close to her daughters. She often said that she would not know what she would do without them. Helen was the matriarch of the family and imparted her principles of faith and family above all else. Traditions were important to her and holidays at her house were magical and warm. Anyone ever invited into her home was treated like family.
Helen loved the Phillies, the Eagles, and Navy football. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports. She was always the loudest fan at any event, yelling to the players, always positive and encouraging.
Helen was active in her church, Holy Family, for years. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, playing cards, spending time with her family and friends. She loved social gatherings and never turned down an invitation to a celebration.
Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her brothers, Martin McCans and William McCans and her grandson, Michael Duncan. She is survived by her brother, Charles McCans; sister, Kathleen Comerer; daughters, Susan Duncan and her husband Daniel, Eve Adams and her husband Joe and Marsha Mills and her partner James McLaughlin; grandchildren, Steven Duncan, Joshua Adams, Tiffany Anders and her husband Justin; and great grandchildren, Katelyn, Kylee, Abrielle, Alexis, Jaydan, Julian and Kendall.
The family would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to Reynold Agard, M.D. and his staff, and the staff of Season’s Hospice. We thank you for your service and compassion.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 12 Noon on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at Holy Family R.C. Church, E. Chestnut Hill and Gender Roads, Newark, DE, where a visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 11:45 am. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mended Hearts Chapter 198, c/o David Kirkley, 1 Lovell Court, Elkton, MD 21921.
Marsha Mills
My Mom and my friend. I miss you, but know we will talk often. Dance across the stars. xo
Fran and Mac McLeod
A true friend and a joy to everyone she came into contact with. We will miss that smile and those great visits. What a great lady!!!
Diane and Myles Margolin
It was Helen’s encouragement, wit and empathy with my family which prompted me to get involved with Mended Hearts after my heart surgery 15 years ago. We volunteered together in the heart unit at Christiana Care for many years. She always had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye which immediately put families and patients at ease. Helen was both my mentor and friend and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She and her beloved “Pres” have been reunited and for sure, Helen’s eyes are twinkling. Go Phillies!
Bonnie Newton
Big Nan love her family. What I noticed about her she had sparkle in her eyes and love in her heart for everyone. She always treated her guest like they were her own family. Every Christmas she always made sure I had a gift. She was like family. We will miss her very much.
Pamela Sauscermen Nash
Sue and family…so sorry to see the passing of your Mom. She was a great lady and I enjoyed seeing and talking with her at church…she was always pleasant and will be truly missed. I am unable to make the mass do to work, so I wanted to offer my condolences to you and the family…sincerely, Pamela Sauscermen Nash & Joe Nash
Jeanette & John Achzet
There are some things that never ever leave us.A mothers love is one of them.She will be with you in spirit and in heart forever.Helen who I knew through her daughter always welcomed me to her home.She was a wonderful lady who had a lot of pride.Her presentation was classy with a warm heart to all who met her.Helen will be missed by many.
Marie Morris
I knew Helen only for a brief time. When Bruce and I first met her, it was like seeing an old friend. She was a sweet, kind lady and she had a marvelous wit I wish we could have shared more time with her.
Our sympathy to the Mills family.
Vanessa Haman
Susan, may you find comfort in knowing your Mom is in a better place.
May God comfort your entire family now and forever more. God Bless!!
Dirk Faulls
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dirk Faulls(Sandy Duhadaway)
Dr.Fredric & Pam Davis
To the Daughters of HELEN
First let me address Helens’s daughters. My name is Pam. I first met Helen when I was working in the office at Christiana Hospital when it was located on the first floor and Helen would come in for her volunteer position. I always looked forward to Helen coming in. Helen was also a patient of my husband at the time, Dr. Fredric Davis, whose office was located in Newark. Helen would tell me how much she loved her ‘doctor’ and we would just laugh! Helen would tell stories of her late husband and her traveling and I enjoyed them so much. She told me of travelig through the Panama Canal on a cruise she once took and to this day is still on my ‘bucket’ list all due to Helen’s encouragement. So one day for you Helen when we get there I will do this trip in remembrance of you. I am a migraine sufferer and when I shared that with Helen, she looked at me and said…”I have never had a headache” so she didn’t know what one felt like! I was jealous. I loved her infectous laugh and going to the Blue Rocks game with her. She was like a second MOM to me and even though my husband and I moved away, we spoke of her often and she was always very special to both of us after all these years and always will be. I LOVED your MOM. Pam & Fredric Davis
Jasmine Willis
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I did not know your loved one personally, but I do know the pain of losing a loved one in death. It is my hope that you may find comfort from family and friends, and from “the God of all comfort” who can provide us with peace during such difficult times. – 2 Corinthians 1:3
Nancy and Joe Reilly
I was so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. Helen and I worked at Crown Zellerbach for 14 yrs. before I left. We always shared so many happy moments during my time there and after. I will miss her and her happy outlook. She just loved you girls and all her family. Best to you all. Nancy Mahlbacher Reilly
Anne Baker Ritchey
I just learned of Helen’s death. My deepest sympathies to her siblings and to the three generations of descendants.
Helen was a very good friend to my mom, Marguerite Baker, for many, many years in Newark. A group of the local widows traveled together and they always had such a wonderful time on their trips. And in between they had fun at card parties and dinners out.
I got to know Helen from occasional dinners with my mom and her friends, and I always thoroughly enjoyed her company. She seemed like a real “straight-shooter,” a worthy representative of what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation.”
I hope she and my mom are playing cards somewhere up there in the clouds.