Helen G. Wilson's Obituary
Helen Wilson was born in Tazewell, Virginia. She was the third child of Georgia Ann Yost and Robert Lorenzo Gillespie. She had five sisters and three brothers.
Helen died of natural causes, at the Treasure Coast Hospice Center in Stuart, Florida on February 5. She was surrounded by her Brother and two of her nieces (Rebecca & Debbie)
Helen’s mother died when she was 16 years old. She help raise a sister, five years old and a brother 18 months old. Helen graduated from Tazewell High School and Bluefield College. She made the varsity basketball teams and became captain her freshman year. She continued her education at VPI (VA Tech) and George Washington University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree. Helen was an athletic, adventuresome woman, an avid snow & skier water and a very strong swimmer. She participated in the water shows on the Potomac Washington DC in the 50s and 60s.
Helen worked as a Secretary for Tazewell County Clerk of Court, was offered a job in the Pentagon during World War II and moved to Alexander, Virginia. Helen always had a passion for flying and became a Flight Attendant for Capital/ United Airlines, where she met her late husband, Robert J Wilson, who was General Counsel & Operation VP of Capital/ United Airlines. They were married in 1959 and purchased a farm outside of Leesburg, Virginia. They spent the winter months in Key Biscayne, FL in their Condominium. Bob Wilson died of cancer 1983.
Helen continue to spend her winter months in Florida where she met Dr. Norval R. Mathie in 1990s, they purchased condo together in Stuart, FL. and were married in 2003. DR. Mathie died in 2014.
She is survived by her Brother, Jack Gillespie, of Great Falls, VA; 5 nephews; Randy Ireson, of Salem, Oregon; Rob Ireson of Greenbrea, California; Steven Gillespie of Palm Springs, CA; Roger Gillespie, of Baltimore, Maryland; Michael Jennings of Sugar Grove, N.C.; David Jennings of Houston, Texas;; 5 nieces, Debbie Kavanagh of Levittown, PA; Rebecca Jennings of Murrells Inlet, S.C.; Pamela Gillespie Harmon of Apex, N. C.; Megan Ireson of Hornbrook, CA; Mollie Doyle of Santa Monica, CA; 5 Grand nephews, 6 Grand nieces, and 2 Great-Great-grandnephews and 2 Great –Great- Grand nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial gifts be made to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network,
555, 11th St. NW, Washington DC 20004. 202-661-5700
A memorial service will be held March 30, 2:00PM at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel at 158 Catoctin Circle, S.E. Leesburg, Virginia.
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