Jane Helman, 67, of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on October 1, 2018.
Janie was born in Allentown, PA on May 28, 1951 and graduated from William Allen High School in Allentown. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Teaching from Messiah College, and her Master’s Degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
For over 30 years, Jane was employed by the Tunkhanock Area School District - as a reading specialist from 1977 to 2006 and as the Varsity Girls Track and Field Coach at Tunkhannock High School from 1979 to 2011 with multiple state champions. She joined the faculty at Maywood University in 1997 and continued to teach there until her death. She was an active member and past president of the Keystone State Literacy Association (KSLA). When she was chair of KSLA’s annual conference, she chose the icon of a lighthouse and her theme was “Read and Shine.” All who knew her were aware of her love of lighthouses. Jane remained active in KSLA as chair of the Conference Advisory Committee and co-chair of Publications.
Many of Jane’s friends will hold this memory dear – if you were lucky enough to visit Lake Carey on a warm summer’s day, Jane would be anxious to take you out for a ride on her party boat. An afternoon on the water with drinks, snacks, and fun conversation…this was something special Jane never hesitated to offer her guests and neighbors’ guests as well.
Jane could anticipate the needs of people around her: always ready to provide her golf cart giving folks a ride down the road, always taking time to provide encouraging words to a grieving friend, always available to lend a hand if you had technical questions about that new iPad or phone, and always quick to make up a batch of raspberry iced tea to bring to a gathering.
Two little cock-a-poos, Abbie and Ida, had the good fortune to live with Jane for many years. Friends and neighbors will remember seeing “the girls” on their daily walks around the lake and town.
Jane was a member of the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church and enjoyed the after church lunch bunch.
She is survived by her brother, Daniel R. Helman and his wife, Linda; nephew, Adam Helman and his wife Della; niece, Tina Spotts and her husband, Jeff; great nieces Natalia Spotts, Stella Spotts, Ava Spotts; uncles, Kenneth Rupert; Donald Rupert; James Helman; Louis Rockel; Dale Kemmerer; aunts, June Shelly; Salle Ann Hunter, Beverly Rupert, Barbara Helman. She will be greatly missed by her cousin Judy Stevens who thought of Jane as a sister and her friend Hollie D’Agata whose family thought of Jane as sister number 6.
Jane was preceded in death by her father, Richard Helman and her mother, Elaine Helman.
Friends are invited to attend Jane’s funeral which will begin Friday October 5th at 4PM from the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, Warren St and Church St, Tunkhannock, PA 18657. By the Rev. Jon Buxton. Friends and family may call Friday from 2-4PM at the church. Interment will be private at the Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Allentown, PA. Arrangements and care entrusted to Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73. W. Tioga St. Tunkhannock, PA 18657. Please visit the funeral home website to share memories or extend condolences.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the Keystone State Literacy Association: Virginia Williams, 6171 Driftwood Drive, Harrisburg PA 17111.
Friday, October 5, 2018
2:00 - 4:00 pm (Eastern time)
Tunkhannock United Methodist Church
Friday, October 5, 2018
Starts at 4:00 pm (Eastern time)
Tunkhannock United Methodist Church
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