Helen F. Gerdon

Helen Francis Gerdon On September 25, 2016 in Arlington VA, Helen Francis Gerdon died at the age of 88 from cancer complications. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, CDR Paul J. Gerdon, Sr. and son Paul J. Gerdon, Jr. Helen is survived by her children Mary Susan Braun (Larry), Carol Ann Kugler (Dave), Therese Mazurowski (Steve), Stephen Gerdon and Jack Gerdon (Beth). Her grandchildren Kristina Persinger (Brian), Kassy Alia (Greg), Sue Ellen Braun, Talia Kugler, Alana Dean (Josh), Caroline Braun, Shannon Mazurowksi, Kara Kugler, Maura Mazurowski, Morgan Gerdon, Paul Gerdon, Carter Lee Gerdon, Eli Glazier, and great-grandchild Salvatore Alia. Helen Francis Gorman was born in Wilmington, NC on June 12, 1928. She was the third of four children born to Ralph and Mamie Georgia Gorman. After graduating from high school, Helen moved to Alexandria, VA to attend Benjamin Franklin University. She started her career working for Austin Kiplinger at the Kiplinger News Agency. Helen loved dancing, and was a certified Arthur Murray dance instructor. She also enjoyed horseback riding and would do so frequently in Manassas, Va. Helen met Paul Gerdon on a train, returning to Alexandria from New York City. Paul asked to borrow the book she was reading, The Greatest Story Ever Told. He returned it the next Friday, and the courtship began. This introduction on the train happened in January of 1952. Paul was active duty Navy at the time and in March he had orders to depart for San Diego during the Korean War. The only way to remedy this partial separation was to, of course, get married! They had a love affair and very “strong chemistry” as she would say in later years. She gave birth to the first of six children, Paul Jr., later that year. She was 24 years old. In 1962 they moved to Springfield Va, which was a distant suburb to Washington DC at the time. Here is where the children grew up and attended school with all the related activities that keep a growing family busy. One of the centerpieces of the family was Holy Spirit Catholic Church. It was a new church in 1965 and Paul and Helen were very involved with it’s opening. It is where the Gerdon family worshipped and grew in the Church. Helen had a great deal of tragedy in 1984 as she lost her son, then her husband in the same year. This experience had a long lasting effect on her that never fully dissipated. Since that loss, many grand children have been delivered and the holidays were full once again with cheer and celebration. Her passing on September 25, 2016 marks the end of an era for not just the Gerdon family, but for a very large group of people. She was a Matriarch that had a great and positive effect on people dating back 50 years. Visitation will be held at Murphy’s Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA on Friday, Sept. 30 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Sat., Oct. 1st at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1910 N. Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22207. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to St. Agnes Catholic Church.