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Mary Bean Obituary
Mary Helen earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics Education from SUNY Oneonta in 1967 and after teaching stints in Iowa and upstate New York, settled with Ken in Maryland in 1969.
Mary Helen was an educator in the Harford County Public Schools system for over thirty years. Her first chapter in the HCPS system was at Bel Air Middle School, during which time MH earned a Master of Education from Loyola College. In 1983 she joined the teaching staff at Fallston High School where she taught mathematics for twenty years. At FHS she ran the Peer Tutoring Program, matching National Honor Society student tutors with math students who required additional help. MH also coordinated the FHS School Beautification Program and chaired the Discrete Mathematics Committee for Harford County.
Following her initial retirement from teaching in 2004, Mary Helen spent several years as a Forensic Document Examiner. She served as an expert witness in dozens of legal proceedings. MH then returned to education at Havre de Grace High School, focusing on helping struggling students meet their high school graduation requirements.
MH truly loved the great outdoors. Her favorite pastimes included kayaking the Susquehanna River with Ken, spotting dolphins during summer trips to her beloved Outer Banks, and walking the trails of Susquehanna State Park. Mary Helen was especially fond of Longwood Gardens, taking every opportunity to share its beauty with her beloved grandchildren. Further afield, MH's adventures took her to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Iceland, Norway, India, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Mary Helen is survived by her husband Kenneth Bean, sons Brian (Lindsey) Bean of Hanoi, Vietnam, and Kevin (Jyotsna) Bean of Darien, Connecticut; her four grandchildren (Mirabel and Calliope Bean of Hanoi; Leela and Nolan Bean of Darien, CT); sister Kathleen Armstrong of Kissimmee, Florida, and a host of many loving relatives and friends.
A celebration of Mary Helen's life will be planned for the summer of 2023.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.
Condolences can be left on the guestbook at mccomasfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Bean
Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.
5 Entries
Dave Hinds
March 1, 2023
Ken and family, you have my deepest sympathy and unwavering support. Wishing you and your family peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Wishing you the best and know you have my full support in every moment.
Lynne and David Warshaw
January 31, 2023
One of our oldest friends. Mary Helen and David taught together at Bel Air Middle School in the '70s. We were pregnant together -- twice! Her son Brian and our son BJ were first best friends before we moved to Connecticut. The world has a hole in it with her loss. Love to Ken, Brian, Kevin, their wives and children. May the memories of her life bring you comfort in this difficult time.
Carole Milan
January 31, 2023
MH is a lady I will never forget. So sorry for your loss, Ken.
Micah Piccirilli
January 25, 2023
My wife Angie and I had the pleasure of becoming friends with Mary Helen. We had the opportunity to get to know her and Ken and and experience her smile. We also saw the love she had for her husband Ken and it was an inspiration in our own marriage.
While we are sad to hear of her passing, she touched our lives and we feel blessed to have been able to experience her joy! And, what a joy it was. She was a shining light and example of kindness to all those she met.
Mary Helen we will miss you and hope that you are dancing in heaven!
You are forever loved,
Micah and Angie
Adam Dorsey
January 23, 2023
Mary Helen was a blessing to everyone who knew her. Her smile lit up a room, and her kindness warmed the heart. She always put others first, and her students over the years absolutely loved her. Some of those relationships lasted decades. A testament to her magnetic personality and her kind soul.
Mary Helen, I'm glad we met, and I'll look fondly back at those memories.
And I'm happy Ken had you by his side for as long as he did, although I'm sure it wasn't long enough.
I'll miss you. Rest in peace.
Your friend,
Adam
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