Helen B Rose

In reverent remembrance, Helen B. Rose peacefully entered heaven on November 28, 2025, at the age of 83 while residing in Orlando, FL. Helen was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on June 25, 1942. She was the oldest of the children born to William Lyman Brown II and Mary Elizabeth Brown. Helen was preceded in death by her father. Her surviving family includes her mother, Mary Elizabeth Brown, and Elizabeth (Betsy) DePristo of Bluffton, SC; William Lyman Brown III of Mount Holly, NC; and Ginger Rosenbaum of Irvine, CA.

Notably, our mother’s birthdate was a significant day in U.S. History, as it marked the first major, mandatory, city-wide blackout to prepare for World War II air raids. In her early childhood, she collected postcards and antique dolls from all over the world. Our mother continued this tradition as an adult by collecting Hummels and coins. She was an avid reader throughout her life and always had several books on hand. She carried her Kindle Reader everywhere, especially outside, to keep her company as she sat for hours taking in the sunrays. Our mother found knitting relaxing. Her blankets and sweaters will be cherished for years to come.

Helen attended West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) from 1960 to 1964, receiving a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Christian Education. During her time in college, she proudly joined Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity as a charter member of Delta Upsilon chapter on May 4, 1963, after being a member of the Kappa Phi-Alpha Sigma chapter, which was a local Christian organization. At WVWC, she could be found playing bridge or active in several clubs, including the Religious Life Council, the Chapel Committee, the Cultural Committee, the Psychology Club, and the Sociology Club.

Following WVWC, she moved to New Jersey to mentor youth as an education assistant at the Leonia United Methodist Church. She married Alan Fredrick Rose on April 30, 1966, in Ingomar, PA and was the proud mother of two daughters, Kimberly Rose Macrae (Donald Ferrin Macrae) of Orlando, FL and Janis Rose Hurter (Andrew Jerome Hurter III) of Scottsdale, AZ and four grandchildren, Ashli Macrae Reilly (William Reilly), Dylan Folsom Macrae, Andrew Jerome Hurter IV, and Sydney Elizabeth Hurter. She was devoted to her family and faithfully corresponded with us, sending notes, care packages, news clippings, and goodies.

While living in NJ, Helen was elected to the Olive Township School Board in 1978. She was active in the Roxbury Area League of Women Voters and the Flanders Parent Teacher Association. Helen was a consummate learner and took additional finance courses at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She was a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, serving as a product sales coordinator for the Morris Area GS Council and as a troop leader in NJ and TN. When she moved to Germantown, TN, in 1979, she joined the Germantown United Methodist Church and volunteered as a Sunday School teacher. She amassed an extensive collection of Bible study materials and guides. Mother loved her basset hound dogs: Justin, Snoopy, and Stanley.

Helen devoted hours to understanding and applying the most current tax laws. She was a dedicated tax preparer at H&R Block. Mother was federally recognized as an Enrolled Agent, a distinction she was very proud of, and represented her clients for over 40 years. She supported her daughters in everything they undertook, especially during their athletic pursuits with the Germantown Track Club in the 1980s. In 1998, Helen moved to Ormond Beach, FL, and was treasurer for The Museum of Arts and Science (MOAS) and United Methodist Women.

Gathering of Family and Friends Saturday January 3, 2026 from 10 am till time of service at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home with Celebration of Life service at 12pm. inurnment to follow at Volusia Memorial Park

Memorial contributions may be made to MOAS at https://bit.ly/MOASdonations or to United Women in Faith (formerly the United Methodist Women) at https://uwfaith.org/give/.