Helen Marie Wesley

Helen "Tommie" Marie Wesley (nee Thomas), age 92, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her Alexandria, Virginia home, Sunday morning, September 17, 2017, after a long illness. Born December 2, 1924 in Newton, Massachusetts, she was the eldest child of Alfred C. and Mabel (Worcester) Thomas. She is predeceased by her husband Raymond W. Wesley, parents Alfred C. and Mabel Thomas, sister Ethel J. Fletcher and granddaughter Catherine A. Templeton. Upon graduation from Somerville High School in Somerville, Massachusetts, she entered the United States Cadet Nurse program at Somerville Hospital, receiving her Registered Nurse degree in 1947. She then began work in the children's ward at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Soon after, she met the love of her life, Raymond W. Wesley, who was serving in the United States Army. The couple were married in the Wollaston Methodist Church November 24, 1949 and lived 44 years together raising two children, Beverly and Warren, and traveling the world with the military. She worked in various capacities of nursing: clinic nurse for US American Schools in Wildflecken, Germany, ward nurse at DeWitt Army Hospital at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and oncology nurse at Mt. Vernon Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. Her hobbies included genealogy, reading, photography, sewing and knitting. She was an active member of the Wollaston Methodist Church in Wollaston, Massachusetts, The Protestant Women of the Chapel at various Army installations and later at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Elisha Dick Chapter), serving as chaplain for many years. She is survived by her daughter, Beverly (William) Dasch of Manassas, Virginia; her son, Warren Wesley II of Alexandria, Virginia; brother, Alfred Thomas, Jr. of Hanson, Massachusetts; sister-in-law, Ruth Wesley of Canton, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Emily (Noah) Bragg, Sarah (Daniel) Belzer and Andrew Wesley; step-grandchildren, William Dasch, Cassandra Dasch and Nicholas Dasch; six great-grandchildren; numerous nephews and nieces and many friends. The Rev. Dennis Perry will conduct a service on Monday, September 25, at 11:00 am at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd., Triangle, Virginia 22172. A reception will follow at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria, Virginia 22308. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Arrangements under the direction of Demaine Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA.