Helen Elizabeth (Lynn) Gillan
March 29, 1943 - April 22, 2022
Helen Elizabeth (Lynn) Gillan, age 79, of Townsend, DE, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, April 22, 2022.
Born on March 29, 1943 in West Haven, CT to the late Louis and Jeannette Lynn. Helen grew up in West Haven, graduating from West Haven High School and serving as past worthy advisor in West Haven Assembly of Rainbow Girls.
Her biggest accomplishment and joy were her children and grandchildren. She loved spending holidays and other special times with them, where she always insisted on many, many, many games of Rummikub. Another family highpoint for Helen was getting to see extended family at the Brown Family Reunion every other summer.
In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her brothers, Leonard Schoen and Louis Lynn; twin sister Alice Lynn Holford; and mother-in-law Hannah Muir. She is survived by her husband Jim Gillan; her daughters and sons in law (all of whom, it could be said but she would never admit to, she loved more than her daughters) Jeannette Rhoda (Dan), Michele Frayler (Michael), Hannah Gillan (and partner Andy), and Susan Hellings (Chris); 13 grandchildren: Tyler, Julie (fiancé Hunter), and Joel Rhoda; Maclean, Wilson, and Keegan Frayler; Jonathan, Camas, James, Harrison, Ezra, and Allyson Tapley, and Samuel Hellings; bonus grandchildren, Annabelle, Makayla, and Kaylee; many nieces and nephews; special cousin Karen Whitcomb; best friend Janet Warrington; and many special friends in Bangor, Maine and Conway, South Carolina.
A Celebration of life will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday, April 29, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE. Interment will be held privately.
Any friends or family who are unable to attend the services for Helen may live stream the service by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 555 Croton Road, Suite 111, King of Prussia, PA, 19406.
JoAnn Holmes
Oh Susan, i’m so sorry to read that your mom has passed away. I know you will cherish your memories and she will live in your heart forever! My sincere condolences and prayers for you and your family at this time.
Sharon, Arnie & Elizabeth
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom Hannah. Hold on to those memories and know that we are thinking of you during this most sad time.
Ronald Anderson
Helen was beyond any doubt one of the kindest and most gentle human beings to ever to walk the face of this earth. She touched the heart of every person she met. To say Helen will be missed would be a monumental understatement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gillan and Lynn family at this time of great loss
Nancy OBrien
Dear Uncle Jim, Jeannette, Michele, Hannah and Susan,
I am so so sorry…
…wish I had the magic words to soothe the pain of all that you’re going through in this time; I don’t but I know the One who does 🙂
It is my heartfelt prayer that the God of all Comfort shows up for each of you, in a very personal and powerful way.
You are who you are, in large part, to the love poured into you from your mother…such a special gift…she’ll be with you forever.
Cliff and Susan Wells
Jim, Susan and I have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. We enjoyed see Helen at our events and enjoying the fun that we all had together. Words can take away the pain that you are all dealing with but know that everyone’s support and thoughts are will you all at this difficult time.
Mike Murphy
Jim: So very sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. I miss you and Helen at our shrine events. You and your family are in my prayers.
Diane Brunner Hoydilla
I am so sorry to hear about Helen passing. Alice and Helen were my first friends as we lived across the street from one another. I have so many wonderful memories of her. The one thing I know for sure is that Helen is in Heaven. She was a wonderful person. Rest in Peace Helen.
Penny Hickerson Sweet
I grew up in West Haven with Helen and Alice. I was so sorrow to hear about Helen . We had some good times together. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God bless Helen. 💕💕
Vaughn Shepard Grant
Helen, Alice and I were very close friends for much of our youth through Christ Church and West Haven Assembly of Rainbow. I have so many fond memories of both of them. It is so hard to believe that they are both now at Heavenly Rest.
My sincere condolences to Jim and the entire family.
Mary Robertson
Dear Jim and family,
We were sad to learn of Helen’s passing, we have many happy memories of our stay with you both in Maine, how welcoming Helen was. Ronald and I enjoyed meeting some of the extended family during our visit. I particularly remember Helen and I chatting and laughing into the wee small hours of the morning about Aunts Hannah; Mamie and the extended family reminiscing about the ‘Auld days’ It was also lovely to welcome Helen when she visited Scotland with Jim, and we missed her when she was no longer able to make the Trip. Helen will leave a hole in many lives, but she would want that ‘hole’ filled with joy and laughter!
Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Mary, Ronald & the Robertson Family
Randy Holford
My prayers are with you at this time of sorrow and loss. May the Lord bless you all and send his comfort to your hearts.
Carolyn Thompson
Dear Jim & Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing.
Your on-line tribute is a wonderful testimony
of Helen and her life. I remember the neighborhood
coffees in Holden. I remember some weddings and a
cookout at your home in Holden. Her memory will
live on in the wonderful family that she and you nurtured.
My heartfelt sympathies to you all.
With love and prayers, Carolyn Hanson (Hart) Thompson
Brewer, Maine