Helene Conley

1927 - 2021

Helene Hopkins Conley, of Richmond, Va., formerly of Portsmouth, Va., age 94, died on October 3, 2021. She was born in Springfield, Mass. on March 29, 1927, was raised there and in Metairie, La. She was the daughter of Josephine Chevalier Hopkins and Stanaforth Taylor Hopkins, Sr. Helene was married to Lloyd Conley, Sr. of Prestonsburg, Ky. for 58 years. They traveled with the Navy to England and Japan, then settled in Portsmouth, Va. for 45 years. She and her husband moved to Richmond, Va. in 2002.

Helene was an active life time member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Va. where she helped in many outreach activities. She was a devoted mother to her three sons and loved to cook, especially Cajun and Southern cuisine. She worked for World Book Encyclopedia for many years and loved spreading her love of learning to young families.

Helene was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd, in 2003. She is survived by her three sons, Lloyd Conley, Jr., and his wife, Barbara of Solomons, Md., Bruce M. Conley of Chesapeake, Va. and Dane R. Conley of Portsmouth, Va. She also leaves six grandchildren and eight great-grand children. She was predeceased by her four brothers, Stanaforth T. Hopkins, Jr. of Baltimore, Md., Stephane D. Hopkins, Sr. of Vero Beach, Fla., Edward L. Hopkins of Metairie, La. and Lawrence J. Hopkins of Metairie, La.

Her burial was at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, Va., alongside her husband. Due to the pandemic, only a private family service was held.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or to the Brandermill Woods Fund, 14311 Brandermill Woods Trail, Midlothian, Va. 23112, who took wonderful care of her for 12 years.