After a courageous battle, Helen Louise Helly (78) died peacefully at home in Williamsburg, Virginia on 8/19/2023 with her husband and loving daughter at her side.

Louise was born in Van Horn, Texas in 1944. Her family moved throughout West Texas during her formative years. In 1963 Louise graduated from Del Rio High School in Del Rio Texas. In 1965 She met and married 2nd Lt. Louis William Helly, Jr. “Bill” who was stationed at Laughlin Airforce Base for flight training. The Air Force then sent them to Travis Air Force base in California, where their daughter Karen Diane Helly was born in 1966. Louise and Bill were married for 58 years.

After Bill completed his service in 1969, the family moved across the country to Silver Spring, Maryland, where they lived for 37 years.

Louise was very involved in her daughter’s life. She became the elementary school secretary, PTA president, and a Girl Scout troop leader. Louise had a career working in downtown Washington DC as an administrative assistant for prominent individuals. She also worked for a public relations firm, before retiring in 1992. About the time Louise’s thin Texas blood finally adapted to the mild Maryland winters, they moved to Williamsburg, Virginia.

Yes, Louise smoked in her younger years. She fought that demon by taking up golf. She started by whacking at whiffle balls in the backyard every time she had an urge to smoke. Thus perfecting her swing, she not only overcame the urge to smoke, but become an amazing golfer. Louise was much respected by her golf community in Maryland and later in her retirement community in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was very active and instrumental in starting the women’s golf group at Colonial Heritage. She also volunteered at the LGPA tournament held at Kingsmill in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Louise had a strong will, a quick wit, a life-long love of reading and learning. Louise will be painfully missed by those who loved and knew her. A woman with a discerning culinary repertoire, she could prepare any meal, spoiling her family with amazing creations.

Louise and Bill shared a love for travel. Seeing the world, she traveled to all 50 states and 6 continents.

Her sense of humor and wit will be sorely missed by family and friends. Halloween was her favorite holiday and she never failed to be the “best dressed at Halloween”. Many of her antics are not printable, but we remember and laugh.

Preceded in death by her mother, Flora Francis Kuykendall Smith; father, John Luke Miller; brother, Jimmy L. Miller.

Survived by her husband, Bill Helly; loving daughter, Diane Helly; sister, Olita Racicot; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Louise will be brought back to West Texas for a celebration of her life and a spreading of her ashes on September 30, 2023.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to your favorite charity.