Helen Biegel Hackney left her childhood home of St. Martinville, Louisiana at 17, just after graduating high school, and moved to New Orleans. She worked for Navy Intelligence and loved her life in New Orleans. New Orleans was her favorite place and she never lost her love for the city.
While working in Navy Intelligence, she met Ben Hackney Jr. They met, fell in love and married in April of 1956. After living in a few different places in NC, they settled with their two daughters in Charlotte NC. This is where Helen was active in the UNCC Distaff Club while her husband was a professor there.
Helen loved the game of tennis and was an accomplished player in high school and at the Charlotte Swim and Racket Club. She worked for the US Census Bureau in Charlotte NC and retired at the same time as her husband. Sadly her husband Ben, her true love, died 25 years ago. Helen took over Ben's former duties of maintaining an immaculate garden and yard. When she moved to WaltonWood Cotswold 3 years ago at the age of 93, she was the only remaining original owner in the Churchill Downs neighborhood located in Cotswold.
Living at WaltonWood Cotswold agreed with Helen for her last three years. All the staff loved her for her joyful and sweet personality. Everyone loved how she would say "merci beaucoup" thanking staff members for their help.
Helen was a long-standing member of the Ownbey Class at Myers Park United Methodist Church. She kept an active membership.
Helen Hackney will forever be known for her kind and sweet demeanor. Caring for others came naturally to her. A Cajun girl with a warm heart, she was active all 96 years of her life. Her love of crawfish and hot black coffee surely contributed to her longevity.
From the bottom of their hearts, her daughters want to thank all the caregivers and staff at WaltonWood Cotswold Memory Care for their kindness in caring for their Mom. They are truly Earth's angels. Her daughters are forever grateful.
Thank you to the kind staff at Levine-Dickson Southminster Hospice House for comforting our dear Mom in her last days.
Helen Biegel Hackney died May 11, 2024, after suffering a stroke earlier in May, peacefully at Southminster Hospice House with both daughters by her side. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Helen Hackney, MD of Richmond, VA, and Willa A. Hackney of Charlotte, N.C. She was predeceased by the love of her life Ben H. Hackney, Jr.
There will not be a formal service. Helen Hackney will be buried beside her husband in Wilson, NC at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ben and Helen Hackney Scholarship in Education at the UNC Charlotte Foundation, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223. Gifts may also be made online.
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