Helen Alice Hess

Helen Hess Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Helen Alice Hess
Start: 2025-01-25T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-01-25T17:30:00.000Z
Location: Lisbon United Methodist Church

Helen Alice Hess, aged 97, passed away peacefully of natural causes on December 23, 2024.
Born and raised on a dairy farm in Canada, Helen developed a lifelong love for animals and all living creatures. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished friend to many. Helen found joy in spending time with her family and her church community, both of which were central to her life.
Helen is lovingly remembered by her daughter Donna Carollo and grandsons Sean and Russell; her daughter Helen Baitz and son-in-law Arthur; her grandchildren Arthur IV and his wife Carly, along with their son Cameron, and Helen Ciara Caisley and her daughter Evelyn; as well as her brother Anthony Virag and numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen generously donated her body to Walter Reed Uniform Services. She will later be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Alvin Hess, at Arlington National Cemetery.
A Celebration of Helen's Life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lisbon United Methodist Church, 15875 Frederick Road, Lisbon, MD 21765. A service will be followed by lunch.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lisbon United Methodist Church or the ASPCA at ASPCA.org" target="_new" rel="nofollow">ASPCA.org.
Helen's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 12, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Hess

7 Entries

Sherry Spector

January 25, 2025

I grew up on Dauphine Street. Mr. and Mrs Hess, their daughters, Helen and Donna were my next door neighbors. I was in the 4th grade when they moved next door. Mrs. Hess' daughter, Helen, and I became best friends. That friendship has lasted from the Fourth Grade to the present day. I recall when Mrs. Hess would describe what it was like growing up on a dairy farm in Canada, which I could only imagine. She was a devoted, loving mother who was practical, down to earth, and approachable. She share her compassion and love for animals which taught me to appreciate nature and caring for the world around me She was good natured and had a hearty unmistakable laugh that could wake up anyone who was sleeping nearby. Her daughters Helen and Donna inherited all of their mother's good traits. Now every time when I hear Helen laugh I am reminded of her mother who is laughing in heaven too. May her memory be forever be a blessing.

Art Baitz III

January 19, 2025

In August 2016, I spent a week with Mrs. Hess (my mother in-law) at her home in Woodbine Maryland. It was summertime, my wife & I agreed it would be good timing for me to fly up from Florida to see her and help with a few things around the house, like trimming overgrown bushes around her swimming pool, fixing the fence and facilitating a garage sale to clear out unwanted items on the property. It was a rare chance that I actually spent time with her one-on-one. We decided to take a break from these tasks and have a day trip drive to Georgetown, Maryland on the Upper Chesapeake Bay to visit this small town where my family kept our boat when I was a boy. It was a beautiful day for a drive. We crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and headed north up the Delmarva Peninsula, passing corn fields and small picturesque eastern shore towns along the way. We had a memorable lunch at a waterfront restaurant called the Granary, which was located at the marina my family frequented over fifty years previously. We had animated conversations and some good laughs.
I´ll always have the memories of time spent with this special lady.

Cheryl Rabbitts

January 13, 2025

Many things come to mind when I think of my Aunt Helen, but, one of the first things that I think of was her outstanding, unique laugh. You never had to physically see her but you would know when she was in the room...& she loved to laugh & had a wonderful dry sense of humour.
Above all she loved all her family, especially her children & her grandchildren (great granddaughter) with a very deep love, she was always very proud of every single accomplishment that they ever achieved whether it was big or small. She loved to come back to Canada & visit all her Canadian relatives and friends, long after we lost many loved ones. Having just made the long trip not this past spring but the spring before. She still had her strong wit & that unique laugh, it was so wonderful that she made that trip to visit us all. I always admired her strength and determination. She had overcome many health issues in her life & still persevered!
She loved all animals! I know she used to take in a lot of stray cats & feed "the critters" in her backyard.
I also think of the beach, when I think of her. I grew up on the same dairy farm as Aunt Helen, so even after she moved away from the farm she & her family came to visit often. I can remember her taking my cousins & myself to the beach a lot. I probably wouldn´t have made it there very much if Aunt Helen didn´t take us, we always had a wonderful time going to the various beaches in the area. I do believe she herself loved the beach.
Of course we shared many Christmases, & special occasions with the Hess family, I also came to know Aunt Helen was an excellent cook!
I had a few visits to Maryland as well & Aunt Helen always treated me like one of her daughters & I always had a great time. I remember when their dog ate my bathing suit that was hanging on a dry rack & I really heard that special laugh then! Aunt Helen did apologize on behalf of the doggie & she was quick to reimburse me for my bathing suit.
Well I better wrap things up. I would like to close with saying that I am happy that Aunt Helen led such a full & love filled life! She touched the lives of many people & she will fondly live on in our memories forever, but, will be sadly missed.
Please accept our deepest condolences my dear cousins & your families,
Love from Cheryl, Lee & Ian

Sandra, Ilona and Jimmy

January 12, 2025

As we reflect on our memories of Aunt Helen, we remember with much fondness our childhood family get-togethers at the Virag farm near Waterford, Ontario. In the comfort and company of aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, and grandparents, we spent joyful family reunions. Aunt Helen's sense of humour and infectious laughter would often be heard amongst our dear ones in those days, and during other family gatherings, weddings and visits throughout the years.

Her smile and endearing laughter will be remembered. Rest in peace Aunt Helen. Love Sandra, Ilona and Jimmy.

Cheryl Rabbitts

January 12, 2025

Many things come to mind when I think of my Aunt Helen, but, one of the first things that I think of, was her outstanding, unique laugh. You never had to physically see her but you would know when she was in the room...& she loved to laugh & had a wonderful dry sense of humour.
Above all she loved all her family, especially her children & her grandchildren (great granddaughter) with a very deep love, she was always very proud of every single accomplishment that they ever achieved whether it was big or small. She loved to come back to Canada & visit all her Canadian relatives and friends, long after we lost many loved ones. Having just made the long trip not this past spring but the spring before. She still had her strong wit & that unique laugh, it was so wonderful that she made that trip to visit us all. I always admired her strength and determination. She had overcome many health issues in her life & still persevered!
She loved all animals! I know she used to take in a lot of stray cats & feed "the critters" in her backyard.
I also think of the beach, when I think of her. I grew up on the same dairy farm as Aunt Helen, so even after she moved away from the farm she & her family came to visit often. I can remember her taking my cousins & myself to the beach a lot. I probably wouldn´t have made it there very much if Aunt Helen didn´t take us, we always had a wonderful time going to the various beaches in the area. I do believe she herself loved the beach.
Of course we shared many Christmases, & special occasions with the Hess family, I also came to know Aunt Helen was an excellent cook!
I had a few visits to Maryland as well & Aunt Helen always treated me like one of her daughters & I always had a great time. I remember when their dog ate my bathing suit that was hanging on a dry rack & I really heard that special laugh then! Aunt Helen did apologize on behalf of the doggie & she was quick to reimburse me for my bathing suit.
Well I better wrap things up. I would like to close with saying that I am happy that Aunt Helen led such a full & love filled life! She touched the lives of many people & she will fondly live on in our memories forever, but, will be sadly missed.
Please accept our most heartfelt condolences my dear cousins & your families,
Love from Cheryl, Lee & Ian

Arthur Baitz IV

January 9, 2025

Granny was a woman with a heart of gold who brought light and love to everyone she met. As a young boy, I have cherished memories of her gently rubbing my back with her long nails, a soothing gesture that always made me feel safe and loved. My favorite time of the year was visiting Granny and Grandpa in Maryland, where their home overflowed with warmth and joy. Mornings with Granny were extra special-we would watch The Price Is Right together while she cooked us breakfast, filling the house with the smell of her love and care. I´ll never forget the simple yet meaningful tradition of taking leftovers to the compost pile to feed the critters-a reflection of her nurturing spirit and care for all living things. My last time with Granny was when she attended my wedding. I am grateful my cousin Russell was able to travel with her to be apart of this special day. Granny shaped my childhood in countless positive ways, and her unwavering love and kindness will remain with me forever.

Jack Hess

January 8, 2025

Janice and I were sad to hear about Aunt Helen´s passing. Our fondest memories were the family get-togethers at Aunt Dot and Uncle Paul´s house on Thanksgiving. Priceless memories.
-Jack and Janice Hess

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