Helene S. (Abrams) Hershey

FRANKFORD - Helene S. (Abrams) Hershey, of Frankford, passed away Thursday, March 20, 2008, at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore.

She was born in the Bronx, N.Y., daughter of the late Emanuel and Henrietta (Paur) Abrams.

Helene always lived her life as a "lady."

She made many long-time friends throughout her life. She was still in touch with her and Harold's first neighbors, Gloria and Frank, and neighbors and friends from her carpool, Joann and John, Fred and Mary.

During World War II, Helene helped with the war effort by working at LeBanon Hospital in the Bronx, treating wounded service people.

Her government service began at the FBI, Foley Square, N.Y., shortly after graduating from Christopher Columbus High School and attending Hunter College in the Bronx.

Helene's career was placed on hold when she married and started a family.

She was always proud of the fact that she received two letters J. Edgar Hoover, one congratulating her on her marriage to Harold Hershey, and the other on the birth of their son, Larry.

After several years as a stay-at-home mom, the family moved to Maryland and eventually settled in Rockville. There, Helene worked at Vitro Laboratories while waiting for her clearance for a position with the Atomic Energy Commission.

She worked with the AEC during its transition to the ERDA and the Department of Energy. In her early years, Helene was an administrative manager and special assistant to the assistant inspector general for investigations.

After earning a degree with honors in criminal justice, she became a special agent in the Office of the Inspector General, DOE.

Helene was transferred to the Golden, Colo., office as chief investigator, from which she retired in 1989.

She then worked as an independent contractor for a court reporting company that conducted hearings at federal agencies, such as NTSB, the U.S. Tax Court, National Labor Relations Board and other entities.

Helene joined National Association of Retired Federal Employees Delaware Chapter 1690 shortly after moving to Delaware in 1999.

She loved to play Mah Jong. "The ladies" played several times a week and developed into a group of supportive and devoted friends. These women were extremely supportive to Helene and her family through her brief illness. June, Elaine, Elaine and Micky all kept in contact and checked on Helene's status regularly.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Hershey, in 1999.

She leaves behind a brother, Leslie Abrams; three children, Larry (Carol), Pat (John) and Marian (Larry); four grandchildren, Amy, Jeremy, Tim, and Eric (Kristin); six great-grandchildren; three nephews, Mark (Linda), Jeff (Kim) and Howie (Laurie), and their families, Jeremy (Erin), Aaron (Lauren) and Lucas; and many wonderful friends who will truly miss her.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may gather beginning at 1:30 PM. Interment will be private.

Flowers will be accepted, or the family suggests memorial contributions be made to either NARFE or Alzheimer's Research, c/o Dr. Eric West, 9 Cromwell Drive, Ocean View, DE 19970.