Helen Frances Ashley

Helen Frances Ashley, age 76, of Palm Bay, FL, formerly of Bel Air, MD, died peacefully at her home after a short battle with lung cancer. Her daughter Martha was by her side when she passed away. Helen was the youngest of 3 children born to Mattie Jane and Fred C. Dalinger of Darlington. As a young girl, Helen attended Franklin Baptist Church where she met and married the love of her life, Worth Ashley. They were married for 55 years and had two children, a son Mark Douglas, who passed away in a car accident and a daughter, Martha, who resides in Cocoa, Fl with her husband Brad.

Helen worked for a short time at Bata Shoe Company, but she is probably most remembered as the cheerful cashier at the ACME store on Main Street in Bel Air. After Helen retired, she and her niece Betty Arnold started a crafting business called AshBets. They were known for their many grapevine floral wreaths and unique nautical centerpieces. Helen volunteered many hours along with her husband Worth to help his sister, Mae Abraham, get Father Martin's Ashley at Oakington up and running. She was very proud of the accomplishments of Ashley and the help it has provided to so many.

Helen loved to travel and especially go on cruises. She and Worth were fortunate to cruise the Panama Canal, the inside passage of Alaska, and the Hawaiian Islands. Helen was a loving wife, a good mother and a good neighbor to everyone no matter where she lived. She would often take food to the shut-ins and would invite those who had no one, or no place to go, to come and share holiday dinner with her family. She was a good Christian woman who attended Bel Forest Baptist Church for many years.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Worth, her son Mark, her parents, her brother Edward and her sister Virginia Roddan Johnson. She is survived by her daughter Martha and her husband, Brad, and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be her son-in-law Brad, and nephews, Jerry Dalinger, Michael Hitchcock, Arnie Hitchcock, Roger Ashley and Matthew Ashley.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in memory of Worth and Helen Ashley who loved animals, to the Humane Society of Harford County, 2208 Connelly Rd., Fallston, MD 21047.