Mary Helen Fritz

Helen was a devoted Christian, daughter, sister, mother, Nana, and friend. Her career as a Registered Nurse began in the operating room, and later included teaching nursing and providing nursing home care. Following retirement as a nurse, she began teaching English as a second language, first at Berlitz, and then at Concord Baptist Church. Her impact on others was evident by her continued friendship with those from high school, nursing school, work, and her ESL students.

Although born and raised in New Jersey, Helen spent many summer vacations with her immediate and extended family in the beautiful Miramichi in Canada. Her youth was spent on the farm, and later years walking or relaxing on the beach, and always in conversation. With her family, she had life-long, dear friendships; Sinclair and Frances, Tom and Margo, and so many others through the years.

She was selfless and generous in caring for her family. Classical music, opera, art, and literature brought her joy, as did a beautiful day (which she would note on her calendar), and she enjoyed sharing things she appreciated with those she loved, and especially with her daughter and granddaughters. Being a teacher was intrinsic to Helen, and she was so pleased to see others succeed. She taught her granddaughters to crochet, knit, how to play bridge, and spent countless hours hosting teas for them, reading aloud, or just conversing. Her home, and phone line, were always open.

Helen was always ready to laugh at and to forgive human foibles, and most often would laugh at her own. She was known to those close to her for being genuine, encouraging, outspoken, and for an uncanny ability to always select the best fruit for a sweet fruit salad.

An avid reader, “What are you reading now?” made its way into nearly every conversation. She could often be found among the stacks at bookstores, searching out classic books to give as gifts or to read to her granddaughters, or strolling through any number of antiques stores, looking for small gifts.

Helen maintained handwritten correspondence, spanning her life, with many members of her extended family and with friends. An aficionado of words and word games, she always had a dictionary to hand and was often known to interrupt conversation to check the exact meaning of a word used.

She frequently expressed gratitude for all her family, with whom she shared interests and abiding friendship.

The family would like to express especial gratitude to Concord Baptist Church, and especially Ms. Ginger Green, who maintained faithful fellowship and friendship with Helen during the years she was unable to attend services.

Helen joins elder brother Stephen Smith and youngest brother Charles Smith, and leaves behind beloved younger brother Alfred Smith, daughter Katherine Nordone and son-in-law Michael Nordone, and granddaughters Elisa, Jamie, and Angela Nordone.

A service for Mary Helen Fritz will be held at Concord Baptist Church on Thursday, April 28th at 10:00 am, with Drew Scott officiating.

Please share your memories of Mary with the family at www.chattanoogaeastbrianerdchapel.com

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 E. Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.