Obituary for Helen Browne Eckles
Helen Browne Eckles, 95, passed away on December 5, 2021 in North Wilmington, Delaware.
Helen was born 1926 at Miss Turk’s Maternity Home at the top of Monkey Hill, in Wilmington, Delaware to Helen (Coale) and John G. Browne. She lived in Wilmington until she was 14 years old when the family moved to the country on Old Capitol Trail near Price’s Corner. She graduated from Henry C. Conrad HS, 1944 and the University of Delaware, 1948. In her early 30’s she learned to drive a car so she could go back to the University to obtain her teaching certificate. She became a substitute elementary school teacher which she enjoyed doing for the next 20 years.
She married her high school sweetheart, Edward A. Eckles, in 1948 and they enjoyed 65 years of marriage before his passing in 2013. They lived in and around Newport, Delaware their entire married life. She was active in her community and especially in her church, Peniel Methodist Church. Glen Berne and the people who lived there always held a special place in her heart.
Helen was a girl scout leader, a member and leader of Church Women United, an active worker in Stephen’s ministries for many years, a docent for the Delaware Art Museum, a volunteer at the Southbridge Neighborhood House and so much more. She loved to keep busy and help those in need.
She is predeceased by her parents, her brothers Raymond and Jack Browne, Samuel Ellicott, her sister, Norma Dickerson and her sister-in-law, Bette Bogart.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Grace Terwilliger, of Guilford Lakes, Connecticut, her son, James Eckles (Rebecca) of Moulton, Texas, her daughter, Judith Eckles, of West Norriton, Pennsylvania, and her daughter, with whom she lived, Diane Eckles (Marc Lowthert) of North Wilmington, Delaware. Her grandchildren, James, Benjamin (Shanna) & Nathaniel Eckles, Michele Mann, Rebecca Lynn Greiner (Shawn), Michael Kozikowski (Sandra Quintero-Reyes), Leda Eggold (Lisa), Grace Parfitt (Benedict) and Jeanne Thoeny (Donald). She is also survived by eighteen great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to acknowledge Helen’s dear friends Gene Blomquist, and Jack and Beverly Hartley for their many years of love and friendship.
The family would also like to thank her caregiver, Maria Glynn, for all the compassion, care and laughter she brought into our lives over the past six months.
A memorial service will be held on December 11, 2021 at 12 noon, visitation will start at 11 AM. at Peniel Methodist Church, 115 East Market Street, Newport, Delaware. Everyone attending will be required to wear a mask. Private burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware. Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to Peniel Methodist Church, at the above address.
Helen was born 1926 at Miss Turk’s Maternity Home at the top of Monkey Hill, in Wilmington, Delaware to Helen (Coale) and John G. Browne. She lived in Wilmington until she was 14 years old when the family moved to the country on Old Capitol Trail near Price’s Corner. She graduated from Henry C. Conrad HS, 1944 and the University of Delaware, 1948. In her early 30’s she learned to drive a car so she could go back to the University to obtain her teaching certificate. She became a substitute elementary school teacher which she enjoyed doing for the next 20 years.
She married her high school sweetheart, Edward A. Eckles, in 1948 and they enjoyed 65 years of marriage before his passing in 2013. They lived in and around Newport, Delaware their entire married life. She was active in her community and especially in her church, Peniel Methodist Church. Glen Berne and the people who lived there always held a special place in her heart.
Helen was a girl scout leader, a member and leader of Church Women United, an active worker in Stephen’s ministries for many years, a docent for the Delaware Art Museum, a volunteer at the Southbridge Neighborhood House and so much more. She loved to keep busy and help those in need.
She is predeceased by her parents, her brothers Raymond and Jack Browne, Samuel Ellicott, her sister, Norma Dickerson and her sister-in-law, Bette Bogart.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Grace Terwilliger, of Guilford Lakes, Connecticut, her son, James Eckles (Rebecca) of Moulton, Texas, her daughter, Judith Eckles, of West Norriton, Pennsylvania, and her daughter, with whom she lived, Diane Eckles (Marc Lowthert) of North Wilmington, Delaware. Her grandchildren, James, Benjamin (Shanna) & Nathaniel Eckles, Michele Mann, Rebecca Lynn Greiner (Shawn), Michael Kozikowski (Sandra Quintero-Reyes), Leda Eggold (Lisa), Grace Parfitt (Benedict) and Jeanne Thoeny (Donald). She is also survived by eighteen great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to acknowledge Helen’s dear friends Gene Blomquist, and Jack and Beverly Hartley for their many years of love and friendship.
The family would also like to thank her caregiver, Maria Glynn, for all the compassion, care and laughter she brought into our lives over the past six months.
A memorial service will be held on December 11, 2021 at 12 noon, visitation will start at 11 AM. at Peniel Methodist Church, 115 East Market Street, Newport, Delaware. Everyone attending will be required to wear a mask. Private burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware. Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to Peniel Methodist Church, at the above address.