Joan Hellmann

Joan Hellmann

Joan Hellmann (nee) Brunskill died peacefully at home in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Monday, October 12, 2009.

She was born September 8, 1922, in Lancaster, England, the daughter of J.E.M. Brunskill and Margaret Brunskill.

Joan graduated from the Bedford High School for Girls in England. After living in Cairo, Egypt, for many years, she served as an employee of the British Foreign Office and the United States State Department during World War II. In Italy, she met her husband of 63 years, Lieutenant Colonel Jacob G. Hellmann, while serving in the United States State Department. She was a devoted army wife and mother of three children. In later years she was an accomplished quilter winning numerous awards.

She was preceded in death by her husband.

She is survived by a brother, J.M.L. Brunskill of Warwickshire, England; two daughters, Jane M. Papadopolis of Sparks, Nevada, and Elizabeth S. Lychenheim of Ellicott City, Maryland; one son, Peter J. Hellmann of Schuyler, Virginia; and four grandchildren, Dorian Papadopolis, Teresa Papadopolis, Sara Lychenheim, and Jacob A. Hellmann.

Joan was a long time member of Christ Episcopal Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Building Fund, Christ Episcopal Church, 8951 Courthouse Road, P.O. Box 94, Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2009, at the Church of Our Saviour in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.