Helen Hessel Vredenburg

Helen Jenkins Hessel Vredenburg, 92, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2024.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents Harold Hessel and Katherine Portner Hessel, her sister Katherine H. Quinn, and her husband of 52 years, Clair I. Vredenburg. She is survived by her two sons, Brian F. Vredenburg and wife Charlotte of Chesapeake, VA and S. Eric Vredenburg and wife Patricia of Houston, TX; her two sisters, Phyllis Sawyer (husband William) and Margaret Moore (husband Dixie) of Virginia Beach, VA; and her four grandchildren, Rachel, Clark, Luke, and Jon.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Helen Jenkins Hessel grew up in Princess Anne County and graduated from Kempsville High School. She married Clair I. Vredenburg of Deep Creek on September 1, 1951. As a cherished member of the Deep Creek community, she spent much of her time helping her neighbors and caring for others. She remained a dedicated member of Deep Creek United Methodist Church for 73 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher, youth counselor, and women's circle leader.
Her love of animals, both large and small, was well-known in the community. She adopted and cared for numerous pets and horses. Her sons affectionately referred to the Vredenburg household as "Helen's House of Hounds."
Helen Vredenburg will be remembered as a cheerful, fun-loving, "country girl," who will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
A graveside service for immediate family and close friends will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Chesapeake Memorial Gardens on Cedar Rd. In lieu of owers, memorial donations may be made to the Union Mission Ministries, Norfolk, VA. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.