Helen McConnell

WILLIAMSBURG - Who could resist Helen McConnell's radiant smile, elegant charm, and passion for all things beautiful? A remarkable woman and former first lady of Williamsburg, Helen cherished her family, her Bayberry Lane neighbors, the city of Williamsburg with its fascinating colonial history, and the arts. Helen McConnell, aged 90, passed away at her home on December 17th, 2014, surrounded by her family. She and her beloved husband Trist moved into the Bayberry Lane home they built in 1959. Soon she was employed by Colonial Williamsburg as a tour guide and later a hostess. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than to share the knowledge every hostess must study and acquire about history in Colonial Williamsburg-which was probably more knowledge than any visitor could have conceived. In addition to her employment, she lent her talents as an accomplished vocal musician while directing the choir at St. Stephen Lutheran Church. In recent years Helen was a faithful member of the Bruton Parish Church Chancel Choir. As a longtime member of The Williamsburg Music Club, she particularly loved the organization's mission to support new musical groups and to offer scholarships. Despite these demands and that of a mother to four children, Helen found time to serve as a Girl Scout troop leader, including camping trips at Kingsmill. Equally active in retirement, Helen enjoyed informal studies of history and culture at William and Mary, international travel, and bridge. She was also very active in PEO and Second Wednesday Book Group. Her final and most treasured endeavor was the writing of Bayberry Lane, a history and memoir of her neighborhood, its beautiful properties and the charming people who lived there. Helen Cole Strickler McConnell was born April 14, 1924, in Macon, Georgia, the daughter of the Reverend Doctor Luther Warren Strickler and Ina Lee Frye Strickler. Raised in Norfolk, Virginia, she graduated from The College of William and Mary in 1946 with a degree in English and studied for a masters degree in library science in Norfolk. She is survived by her brother, Warren Strickler of Harrisonburg; her children: Suzanne Baggett and her husband Joseph, of Herndon, Bringier McConnell and his wife, Sally, of Williamsburg, Sarah McConnell and her husband, Bob Gibson, of Charlottesville, and Logan McConnell and his wife Sima Simms, of Alexandria; seven grandchildren: Merritt Baggett, Graham Baggett, Helen Gibson Mikac, Logan Gibson, Stella Gibson, Cole McConnell and Adele McConnell; and her great grandchildren, Jude Baggett, Hope Baggett and Ella Mikac. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Bruton Parish Church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Williamsburg Botanical Garden. On line condolences may be shared with the family at www.bucktroutfuneralhome.net.