Helen D. Woerner

Born: 11/21/1910
Died: 6/15/2012

Mrs. Helen D. Woerner, age 101, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 15, 2012.
Born in Kent County, MD, on November 21, 1910, Mrs. Woerner was the daughter of the late Joseph P. Dunn and Mary L. deVine Dunn. She enjoyed a diverse career, beginning as a teacher at the one-room Howell School, where she taught eight grades at once. After earning her degree from the University of Delaware in 1932, she would go on to work as a substitute teacher in New Castle County and Cecil County elementary schools from 1933 to 1948. Lively political debate and responsible government were her true passions and some of her most rewarding professional employment came from working for the State of Delaware; she held a variety of positions and retired in 1978 as an administrative assistant with the Department of Elections. She was also a leading voice in the state’s Democratic Party spanning four decades, serving as a Democratic Committee Woman from 1932 to 1968.
A devout Catholic throughout her life, Mrs. Woerner was a longtime member of Holy Angels parish, where she was active in the Altar Society and the BVM Sodality. She was a gifted homemaker and greatly enjoyed all types of artistic pursuits, including painting and crafts.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Aloysius A. Woerner, and siblings, Rev. Joseph T. Dunn, OSFS, Sister Marie Dunn, FMA, and Sister Regina Dunn, FMA. She is survived by her children, Margaret W. Mergo of Sanford, FL, Marie W. Beldyk (Richard) of Bear, Joseph A. Woerner (Jean) of Annapolis, MD, John A. Woerner (Elaine) of Hockessin, Francis P. Woerner (Lynn) of Newark, Regina T. Coleman (Glenn) of Wilmington, and Aloysius A. Woerner (Kathy) of Elkton; 24 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; and 4 great great grandchildren.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff of Millcroft for their many kindnesses to Mrs. Woerner during her residence.
Visitation will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 W. Park Place, Newark. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am on Friday, June 22, 2012, at Holy Angels R.C. Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark. Interment will follow in Old Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Elkton.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Woerner may be made to Salesian Sisters, 659 Belmont Avenue, North Haledon, NJ 07508; or to the Oblate Retirement Fund, 2200 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806.