Helen Brodbeck
Helen Teresa Healey Brodbeck, age 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 31, 2021. She was born November 10, 1929 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Helen and her family traveled throughout Pennsylvania with her father’s position with the Singer Sewing Machine Company - Scranton, Williamsport, Hazelton and Forty-Fort - making new friends wherever she went. She graduated from Forty-Fort High School in 1947. Helen married the love of her life, George Frederick Brodbeck, in August 1950, and in 2020 they were blessed to share their 70th wedding anniversary. She continued traveling with her husband to Morrisville, PA, Akron, Ohio and ultimately to Augusta, Ga, her home of nearly 50 years.
Helen had a special gift and keen insight in helping children, of which she was most passionate. In addition to joyfully raising four children of her own, Helen lent a guiding hand in the development of 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many children of dear friends and neighbors.
Helen was strong in her faith, a loving, caring Christian woman who shared much wisdom from many years of bible study at her church, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Augusta and as a teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship. Helen was a Girl Scout and became a Girl Scout Leader for her daughters. She was instrumental in starting one of the first inter-racial troops in Augusta as well as a troop for developmentally disabled girls at Weed School. She loved to share her memories of scouting.
Helen also had a wonderful “green thumb” as displayed in her home garden. She enjoyed collecting many varieties of azaleas and awaited their bloom each spring. She loved to share her knowledge of plants and was often known to share these cuttings with family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Aloysius Patrick Healey and Marion Ellen Golden Healey and her brother, Bernard Healey.
She leaves behind her faithful husband of 70 years, George F Brodbeck of Augusta, four children, George H Brodbeck (Janet) of Bethlehem, Pa., Howard D Brodbeck (Cheryl) of Goodyear, Az, Diane C Lowe (George) of Goodyear, Az, and Donna B Byrdy (Stan) of Augusta, grandchildren Ross Brodbeck (Christie), Sarah Byers (Jeff), G. Matt Lowe (Blaise), John Lowe (Tricia), Laura Hoy (Rhys), Erin Jaen (Eric), Colleen Brodbeck, W. Andrew Lowe (Ashley), David Byrdy, Hannah Byrdy and 13 great-grandchildren.
A memorial of her life will be conducted later in the year when family and friends can more easily gather.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank-you to the staff of Southeast Hospice who provided special care to Helen.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at
www.thomaspoteet.com