Helen Barns Anderson Balsbaugh

1933 - 2024

Helen Barns Anderson Balsbaugh

July 3, 1933 - April 29, 2024

Jacksonville, Florida - Helen Barns Anderson Balsbaugh died peacefully, surrounded by family, at her home in Jacksonville, Florida on Monday, April 29, 2024.

She is survived by her husband of sixty-eight years, Sydney Balsbaugh; her son Robert Duncan Balsbaugh and his wife Mara of Gloucester, MA, their sons Nicholas Peteris Balsbaugh (and his fiancee Sabrina Gaulin), and Alexander Karlis Balsbaugh; her daughter Elizabeth Barns Balsbaugh Steffen and her husband Mark of Westport, CT, and their daughter Caroline Anne Steffen Suydam (and her husband Luke and children John and Finn), and sons Douglas Lanier Steffen and Grant Hastings Steffen; her brother Robert Lanier Anderson III and his wife Nancy, and their sons and grandchildren.

Mrs. Balsbaugh was born in Macon on July 3, 1933 to Robert Lanier Anderson, Jr. and Helen Caroline Waterbury Anderson. She graduated from Miller High School and in 1955 from Wellesley College, having met her beloved MIT-graduate husband in Boston. After her husband's air force service the couple settled into an early nineteenth century Cape Cod house in Duxbury, MA, which they restored, thoughtfully expanded, and lived in for fifty-eight years. Mrs. Balsbaugh taught school while raising her children, among many other activities, including learning to sail and to ski. She was an accomplished homemaker, creating a delightful garden and charming home to which she cheerfullly welcomed friends and family, especially her five grandchildren. Her "default setting" was happy; she greeted the world with a smile on her face. She and her husband enjoyed living and traveling aboard their boat "Yankee Rebel" for many years before retiring to Cypress Village in Jacksonville.

A celebration of life is planned for later in the summer. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Atrium Health Navicent Hospice c/o Navicent Health Foundation, 777 Hemlock Street, #78, Macon, Georgia 31201, or to the charity of the donor's choice.