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Helene McGinnis | | | | | Manteo, N.C. – Helene K. McGinnis, 87, died Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Roanoke, VA. She was born July 4, 1922 in Lounsberry, N.Y. first of Lena and Earl Keesler’s three daughters. A graduate of Candor High School, she earned her business degree at Ridley College in Binghamton, N.Y.
She enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) shortly after the unit was formed in 1943. She served at Camp Shanks army base, New York and Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, as a small arms inspector, test firing weapons specialist. She was a member of the WAC’s 1945 championship basketball team. She received her honorable discharge from the WAC unit on January 27, 1946.
After receiving her Army discharge, she worked in accounting at Cornell University until her marriage to Dennis E. McGinnis in 1951, who preceded her in death on October 26, 2005.
Raising her family, she played an active part in all community activities¯ten years with the Lost Colony production, PTA member and supporter for Manteo Elementary and Manteo High School , and an officer of Manteo High School’s first football booster’s club. She was an ardent supporter of Dare County public schools. Helene also was a
dedicated volunteer worker for the Dare County Board of Elections.
Helene enjoyed the company of her close friends in Manteo, Dora Midgett, Estelle Wilson, Alice Kellogg, and Alene Midgett for morning coffee. For almost forty years, these fine ladies met daily for a cup of coffee. This tradition started at Fearing’s drugstore in downtown Manteo in 1966 and they continued this tradition at McDonalds well past the turn of the century.
For the past seven years, Helene has been in the loving care of her son, Brian, his wife, Ursula, and their sons Brian and Thomas. The loving care and consideration they have given Mom has extended her life and made it meaningful and pleasant.
She is survived by her five sons, Dennis and his wife Kit of Manteo, NC; Brian and his wife Ursula of Stewardsville, VA; Kevin and his wife Renee of Sunbury, NC; Sean and his wife Jeanne of Hickory , NC; and Terry and his wife Anna of Manteo, NC; six grandchildren, Brian, Thomas, Sarah, Katheryn, Matt, and Molly; and one sister, Betty Kroplin of Spencer, NY.
A memorial-remembrance gathering will be held at Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 1:00 PM.
For those who feel they would like to express their feelings, the family asks that a contribution be made to Alzheimer’s Research or any other charitable organization of their choice.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Colony Chapel, Manteo, NC is assisting the family with arrangements.
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