Helen Thomas Marchman
Helen Chantler Thomas Marchman, 90, died peacefully on Sunday, September 30, 2018 at Wesley Woods of Newnan, Georgia. She was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia to Franklin and Helen Thomas and was the youngest of four children.
Helen graduated from St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia in 1946 and Wellesley College in 1950. She married attorney Robert L. Marchman III, in 1950 and was a devoted and energetic mother to their four sons in Atlanta, Georgia. She was present rain or shine overseeing 47 student-years at The Lovett School, and countless Boy Scout campouts, sports, and school events. She loved Lake Burton, ocean breezes, her golden retrievers, and a good mystery novel.
She volunteered for and supported numerous educational, civic, artistic, and charitable organizations. She was a board member of the Atlanta Humane Society and president of its Women’s Auxiliary. Favorite causes included the Atlanta Wellesley Club, High Museum of Art, Atlanta Zoo, Arts Festival, The Schenck School, The Shepherd Spinal Center, and more. After moving to Jupiter, Florida in 1995, she supported and volunteered for many historical and marine life nonprofits, and traveled by air, land and sea to six continents and many countries.
She moved to Wesley Woods in 2005, and remained an active volunteer there and in the community. She made many new friends, and her time and travels with dear friend Bruce especially brought her deep happiness. The family is grateful to Angela and Eddie’ who lovingly cared for her in her final days.
Survivors include her sister Sarah Thomas Allnutt of Poolesville, Maryland, sons and daughters-in-law R. Lee and Susan Marchman IV of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Franklin C.T. and Beth Marchman of Sharpsburg, Holmes B. and Mary Marchman of Gainesville, and Granger H. Marchman and Alison Bearman of Atlanta; grandchildren and their spouses Bo Marchman, Jake Marchman, Sam Marchman, Ben and Ashley Marchman, Alden and Kristina Marchman, Graham and Michael Erwood, Anna Marchman, Sarah Marchman and Thomas Marchman; four great-granddaughters, and many nieces and nephews.
The family will celebrate her life in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Loggerhead Marinelife Center of Juno Beach”
www.marinelife.org/help/donate
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