Helen Mary Beasley

September 5, 1930 - January 8, 2018

Helen Mary Beasley (nee Walsh), beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted daughter, passed away peacefully at her home at Waverly Heights in Gladwyne with her children by her side on January 8, 2018. Born in the Kensington section of Philadelphia on September 5, 1930 to Helen (nee Williams) and Harry Walsh, Helen attended John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School and graduated from Kensington High School. As a young woman, for eight years Helen worked for The Honorable James Cullen Ganey of the United States District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania. It was during this time that she met her husband-tobe, James Edwin Beasley, Sr., who was a Temple University Law student working in the adjacent chambers. Helen led a full, active life and enjoyed good health, world travel, and family. She had a strong interest in the arts that included classical music, opera, jazz, and collecting fine art. In mid-life in the 1980’s Helen enrolled at Rosemont College to study art history. Helen was a master at needlepoint, creating many beautiful pillows that decorated her home. A skilled and talented knitter and crocheter, Helen effortlessly fashioned sweaters, hats, and blankets from complex stitches and patterns. A beautiful and petite woman, Helen appreciated fine clothing and always appeared stunning and elegant. Reading books, magazines, and newspapers brought Helen joy. American history was of particular interest to Helen. She clipped newspaper articles pertaining to historical events and her library included many books about early American history. Helen served the Philadelphia community as a volunteer for the Elder Craftsman of Philadelphia in the 1980’s and was the Recording Secretary at Penn Medicine in the 1990’s. Helen’s pride and joy was being a mother, grandmother, and recently a great-grandmother. All of Helen’s grandchildren referred to her as Mom-Mimi, a term of endearment originated by Helen’s first grandchild, Ilissa. Helen was predeceased by her husband, James Edwin Beasley, Sr. in 2004 and her grandson, Thomas Evan James Beasley in 2003. Helen is survived by her three children, Pamela Jane Beasley, Kimberly Ann Schmucki (Ross), and James Edwin Beasley, Jr. (Elizabeth), grandchildren James, Tess, and Grace Heller; Christopher and Jane Schmucki, step-grandson Alex Schmucki (Melanie Wender); Ilissa (Brandon Frye), James III, Ava, and London Beasley, and great-grandson Brandon Frye, Jr. Her Funeral Mass and burial were private. Memorial donations may be made to Our Mother of Good Counsel Church 31 Pennswood Road, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010