Mary Helen Abell
January 27, 1936 ~ July 8, 2016
Mary Helen Abell, 80, of Lusby, MD passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, July 8, 2016 at her residence. Born January 27, 1936 in Harlan, KY, she was the beloved daughter of the late Samuel J. Dunn and Loreen Johnson. She was the loving wife of Martin Vernon Abell for 29 years. Mary Helen was a wonderful and loving mother to her surviving children: Mary Seals, NJ; Martin C. Abell (Gloria) Hollywood, MD; Glenda A. Abell, Leonardtown, MD; Dale M. Combs (Norm) Neillsville, WI; Mary P. Leach (Jamie) Leonardtown, MD; Michael E. Abell (MaryBeth); Robin L. Bascara (Junior) Orange Park, FL; David W. Abell (Tammy) Dowell, MD; James P. Abell (Denise) Hollywood, MD, and Mary C. Bell (Mark) Leonardtown, MD; and her step-children: G. Wayne Pilkerton, Great Mills, MD; Anna Mae Dean (Danny) Drayden, MD; and Sharon Pilkerton, Callaway, MD. Mary Helen was a Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great Grandmother to over 100 children. She is also survived by her youngest brother, Glenn E. Dunn of Richfield, North Carolina.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by Benny and Elsie Russell that raised her; her significant other of 29 years, Franklin D. Pilkerton; her siblings: Winford Dunn, Gilbert Dunn, Dorothy Crump, Doris Orr, Midge Clapp, and Norman Dunn of North Carolina; her in-laws, Gertrude and James A. Norris, Hollywood, MD; and her children: Joseph A. Abell, James V. Abell, and Baby Girl Abell.
Mary Helen was a homemaker but had a love for the water and worked with Martin for many of their years together. She was a devoted and dedicated Mother and Grandmother that held her family together despite many obstacles. There were no strangers to Helen because everyone was family. She was very selfless and always enjoyed spending time with family. She also enjoyed flowers, shopping, playing cards, gathering with family and friends, eating crabs, and baking.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 from 5 to 8 p.m. for Mary Helen’s Life Celebration at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, 41590 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home chapel with Father Raymond Schmidt Officiating. Interment will follow in the Church of the Nazarene Cemetery, 24710 Sotterley Road, Hollywood, Maryland with fellowship to follow at the American Legion 11820 H.G. Trueman Road Lusby, MD 20657.
Serving as pallbearers, will be Helen’s Grandchildren: Jimmy Abell, Mikie Abell, Ronnie Abell, Joseph Bascara, Donnie Leach, and Ritchie Lokken.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are: Aiden Abell, Junior Abell, Brad Bell, Mickey Neill, Billy Norris, David Norris, Michael Norris, Ray Norris, Ronnie Norris, Teddy Norris, Mark Pollack, Danny Sweeney, and Leonard Knott.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, 13150 HG Trueman Road, P.O. Box 189, Solomons, MD 20688.
Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
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Mom, I don’t know how I am gonna live my life without you. I pray for all of us left behind. We know you are soaring with God’s Angels now but you are already so loved and missed.
The LightHouse Memories
written by Glenda Ann Abell 2006(c)
The lighthouse stands strong against the winds,
From the beginning till the end
The lighthouse’ beacon of light shines forever in the night,
The beacon of light burning so bright
The beam of light carries us through the foggy days
The beam of light carries us through our lonely nights
The beam of light carries us through our life
Our loved ones are like that
The lighthouse beam of light
That forever burns so bright in memories
There they leave it in our hearts, mind, soul and body
The love they give us, the lessons we learn
The lighthouse memories forever to be
Always the light of their heart and soul to let us know they are there
Even when they are passed over, we know they still care
The love and strength and guidance they still share
Their beam of light still shining bright
Forever walks with us while we are still here on earth
In our lives from day to day
In love and strength in every way
Wherever you go
In the things you do and say
The lighthouse memories are still there
No one can take them away
Know that their beam of light from Heaven and stars
Will forever be with you in every way
Shining brightly on your pathway of life
Through the foggy days and the lonely nights
You will see the light in a song you hear
In words of others, in special meaning phrases, in pictures, from others love
The light will shine from above
And the lighthouse of memories will forever be….
To the family of Helen,
My sincere condolences go out to each and every one of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. God bless 🙏
David, James, Pat, Michael, Dale, Robin, Glenda & family:
My thoughts & prayers go out to you all @ this time of sorrow. She was always a grandmother to me & to my children. She is now an Angel soaring the heavenly sky watching over all of us. You might be gone but, you will never ever be forgotten. Luv you, Grandma!!! I will miss you.
May you rest in Gods arms
David and family: Thinking of you during this sad time. “God Bless.”
James and family: We are thinking of you and your family at this time of loss. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that your mom’s pain has ended and that she is with our Lord. Sending our love, Steve and Nancy Travis
To the best mom anyone could ever have.We love and miss you so very much.I just no how hard it’s going to be not hearing your voice in the mornings.I needed that to even start my days.I can not believe how many times I’ve went to my phone since you have passed.I no you are with our loved ones there and you aren’t in pain anymore and that is all that matters, but mom I will miss you so much and every second of every minute of every day you are in my heart and prayers.I love you mom so very much,thank you for always being there for all of us.
Condolences to the family and her many friends. May all find peace and comfort and may Mary Helen rest in peace.
To the Abell family,
We are sorry to hear of the loss of Mrs. Abell. She was a wonderful lady that will be greatly missed by many. Try to remember wonderful memories to great through this time. Our paryers are with you.
In a life full of changes, you and your love remained constant and forever will be hereafter. There are no words to describe the love you have given your children and grandchildren. There are no words to describe the sacrifices you made, so that all of us could be here. If there were enough or even the right words to describe you or your love, my loving grandmother, you would have your own language. All of my/our love to you, Grammaw, with all of our hearts. Missing you – Amber, Sidney, Kaiden, Dominic, and Baby Sidney.
David and Family, losing a mom is one of the hardest things to go thru in life. Our condolences and prayers are with you and your family.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you all. May you know your friends are here should you need them for anything. God has gained another angel to watch over you. She is at peace and now has eternal life. Hold your memories close to your hearts. May God give you all the extra strength you need for the days ahead. Love you all; and consider you family. We are not joined by blood but by longtime friendship. God Bless!
James and family we would like to send our condolences to you and your family. We will keep you in our prayers. May God bless your Mom. Those we lose continue on in our hearts and memories forevere , know that she is still and always be with you.
Dear David and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We know this is a difficult time for all of you, and we wanted you to know, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
I am so sorry for your loss Glenda and family, may God give you peace and soften the hurt this is from all of us at the Landing (this is how you will remember who we are). May God Bless you and Yours.
Hilda and Benny
You and your family are in our prayers. May peace and comfort find you during this difficult time.
David, You and your family are in our prayers. May peace and comfort find you during this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers to all of Helen’s children and family. I am so sorry I missed going to your Mom’s funeral service. I have been on travel and just reading this on-line. I was married to Teddy Norris in the 70’s and one of the best things to happen to me during that marriage was meeting The Abell family. I loved your Mom and Dad so much and just want all of you to know I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Love and prayers to all. Margie Vallandingham Hicks
Happy Birthday Mom. We love and miss you so much. Give Dale a hug and our Love and all the rest . xoxo