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Helen Christine (Foley) Truitt, staunch Democrat

August 26, 2021

Helen Christine (Foley) Truitt passed away peacefully at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Helen was born July 17, 1942, in Philadelphia to Gerald V. and Helen Flynn Foley, who both predeceased her.

Mrs. Truitt spent many years as the secretary to Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore Richard S. Cordrey and was very involved in Delaware Democrat politics. She was also the executive director of the Miss Delaware Pageant for several years. Helen loved life in Lewes and devoted many, many hours to community projects. She was recognized for her service as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with Family Court and with the mentoring program of Delaware. Mrs. Truitt was a volunteer with the Hospice program, and shared her strength and compassion with families and their loved ones in their last days. She also served on the Inland Bays Committee.

She was a member of St. Jude’s Parish and, in fact, believes that her marriage to the love of her life, David, was the first wedding at St. Jude’s. At St. Jude’s, she had served as a member of Parish Council, in the sodality, and was a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion. She was awarded the Medals of Honor by Bishop Francis Malooly of the Wilmington Diocese. She lived her Catholic faith to the fullest.

Before suffering ill health in recent years, Helen devoted Thursdays to prayer group and then bridge with her friends at the Rehoboth Country Club. Everyone knew not to make plans with her on Thursdays! Lately, she enjoyed quilting and playing board games with her devoted friend and neighbor, Lynn Lambertson.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Truitt was predeceased by her stepmother, Edith Foley; her sister, Helenann; brother Jerry; and son-in-law Christopher Wilson. Tragically, she suffered the loss of her infant son, Tobias David, in 1973, and more recently her husband of 57 years, David Henry, in 2019. She is survived by her sister, Rowena Jenkins and brother-in-law David; and four children - Stephenie, Sheila (and her husband John), Sonja, and Thad (and his wife Bonnie). She also had the joy of celebrating the birth of 11 grandchildren (Christine, Catherine, Zachary, Caroline, Shelby, Jeremy, Olivia, Kaylie, Alexandra, Jake and Alexis), and three great-grandchildren (Harper, Charlotte, and Arwynn).

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m., at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes. A viewing will be held Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Burial will be private at the family farm.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, masks are required to be worn by any and all persons participating in any aspect of the services.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to St. Jude the Apostle Church.

Visit Mrs. Truitt’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign her virtual guest book at parsellfuneralhomes.com.

 

 

 

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