Emilyrae D. Helfen

She lived on the Eastern Shore until she left to attend Lynchburg College. She later graduated from Goldey Beacom University in Wilmington, Delaware. She was predeceased by her parents Raymond and Emily Drummond, maternal Grandparents Tom H. and Zella L. (Zellue) Rew and her paternal Grandparents, Edward and Manie W. Drummond.

She may have left the Eastern Shore, but the Eastern Shore never left her; and said "She would have Eastern Shore sand in her toes until the day she died". Emilyrae will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and Bubee (grandmother). She visited The Shore frequently.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 38 years, CAPT William (Bill) Helfen USN (Retired), two children and their spouses, Eric and Mary (Curtain) Markland, and Stacy (Markland) and Joe Bushey; and her two stepchildren and spouses, Dave and Nicole (LaTurno) Helfen and Stephen and Jamie (Kirkland) Helfen. Although they were stepchildren, she always felt close to them and referred to them as her children. Bill and Emilyrae married in 1987 when Dave and Steve were only 12 and 10 respectively. Emilyrae and Bill have 11 grandchildren and their spouses: Megan Markland Sanner (Alex Sanner); Nick and Danny Markland; Jacob (Katherine), Lucas and Nathaniel Bushey; Abby, Olivia, Conner, Sam, and Avery Helfen.

Emilyrae's career path included working as an assistant to the V.P. of Williamsburg Restoration. She worked as a secretary for IBM until her two children were born and then became a stay-at-home Mom. After her children were older, she began substitute teaching in Norfolk Public School system. She passed the Real Estate agent exam and the Real Estate Broker exam the first time she took them. She opened her real estate office, Irish Luck Realty in 1974; thus, began her love of real estate and her 51 year journey in real estate. She had 6 agents working for her for 5 years, then the real estate market crashed in 1981. After she closed her company, she worked as an associate broker for Ward and Hollingsworth Realty for several years.

In 1982 she took a job at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA working as a Management Analyst. It was there where she met and married the love of her life, Bill, and thus began her career as a Navy wife. In 1990 Bill was transferred to the National War College in Washington DC. Emilyrae got a job with the Under Secretary of the Navy. Then in 1991 after Bill graduated, they were transferred back to Norfolk, VA where her next job was Budget Analyst with Portsmouth Naval Regional Medical Center where she worked until she retired in 2001.

Emilyrae enjoyed her career but more importantly she enjoyed supporting and caring for her children and grandchildren. Grampy Bill and Bubee could be seen in the bleachers or sidelines cheering them on.

She retired to spend more time with her grandchildren while continuing to manage their 27 rental units. Emilyrae (Bubee) and Grampy Bill were the central point for family gatherings and for every celebratory occasion. There were many overnights and traveling with their children and grandchildren.

While in retirement, Emilyrae wrote a book "A Shore Thing". It was a 400 page autobiography including family history from her Mother's childhood to her grandchildren with family trees up to current times. This was her legacy for her family.

Emilyrae was always in quest of new things to learn and experience. Assertive and outgoing, Emilyrae was easy to know and demonstrated a deep concern for others. Faith and prayer were an extremely important part of Emilyrae's life.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in her name to Unity Renaissance, 1120 Eden Way N, Chesapeake, VA 23320 or The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Treatment, and Recovery, 9500 Euclid Avenue/D3, Cleveland, OH 44197-9905.