Helen Kirk Breeden

HELEN KIRK BREEDEN, age 103, recently of Wooster, OH, formerly of Fallston, MD, died on June 9, 2006 at West View Manor in Wooster, OH. Born in Fallston, MD, she was the daughter of the late Henry Columbus and Annie Bailey Kirk. She began the first grade at Youth’s Benefit School when it first opened in 1910. Her mother died that same year. She completed the ninth grade a YBS. She continued to live at her father’s home place on Laurel Brook Road after marriage to Ernest L. Breeden. She was a homemaker and member of Fallston Homemakers’ Club. Following her husband’s death in 1965 after 35 years of marriage, she lived alone, taking care of the home with assistance on the place from a good neighbor and a helpful farmer who rented the land. She was recognized for her self-discipline, self- reliance, and for keeping the home in excellent condition. She was remembered by a teacher some fifty years later as one who told the truth. She was the oldest graduate at a Youth’s Benefit School reunion in 1998.

In 1987, Mrs. Breeden went to live with her older son, Ernest Kirk Breeden, and his wife Eleanor, in West Friendship, MD. Later, she alternated six months with her younger son, Robert H. Breeden, and his wife, Leslie, in Wooster, Ohio. In 1999, she entered an assisted living facility in Wooster, OH.

In addition to her sons and daughters-in-law, Mrs. Breeden is survived by five grandchildren, Steven Breeden of Sykesville, MD; Kevin Breeden of Casanova, VA; Robert Breeden of Catlett, VA; Keith Breeden of Middletown, MD; and Barbara Breeden-Schmenk of Dayton, OH; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, two brothers predeceased her as infants.

Pallbearers will be Kevin Breeden, Robert J. Breeden, N. Keith Breeden, Barbara Breeden-Schmenk, Andrew Breeden, and David Schmenk.