Mary Helen Bean

Mary Helen Bean, age 77, of Havre de Grace, Maryland passed away on January 20, 2023 at her home. MH was born January 8, 1946 in Glen Cove, New York. She was raised by Florence and William Armstrong in Hicksville, New York. Despite her father's protestations that she not "wear her heart on her sleeve," MH was successfully wooed by Kenneth Bean. They were married on August 5, 1967 in Kings Point, New York.

Mary Helen earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics Education from SUNY Oneonta in 1967 and after teaching stints in Iowa and upstate New York, settled with Ken in Maryland in 1969.

Mary Helen was an educator in the Harford County Public Schools system for over thirty years. Her first chapter in the HCPS system was at Bel Air Middle School, during which time MH earned a Master of Education from Loyola College. In 1983 she joined the teaching staff at Fallston High School where she taught mathematics for twenty years. At FHS she ran the Peer Tutoring Program, matching National Honor Society student tutors with math students who required additional help. MH also coordinated the FHS School Beautification Program and chaired the Discrete Mathematics Committee for Harford County.

Following her initial retirement from teaching in 2004, Mary Helen spent several years as a Forensic Document Examiner. She served as an expert witness in dozens of legal proceedings. MH then returned to education at Havre de Grace High School, focusing on helping struggling students meet their high school graduation requirements.

MH truly loved the great outdoors. Her favorite pastimes included kayaking the Susquehanna River with Ken, spotting dolphins during summer trips to her beloved Outer Banks, and walking the trails of Susquehanna State Park. Mary Helen was especially fond of Longwood Gardens, taking every opportunity to share its beauty with her beloved grandchildren. Further afield, MH’s adventures took her to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Iceland, Norway, India, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Mary Helen is survived by her husband Kenneth Bean, sons Brian (Lindsey) Bean of Hanoi, Vietnam, and Kevin (Jyotsna) Bean of Darien, Connecticut; her four grandchildren (Mirabel and Calliope Bean of Hanoi; Leela and Nolan Bean of Darien, CT); sister Kathleen Armstrong of Kissimmee, Florida, and a host of many loving relatives and friends.

A celebration of Mary Helen's life will be planned for the summer of 2023.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.