Helen Haley Tinney, our beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to her heavenly home to be with her husband Tom and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015, at the age of 89.
Helen was born on March 2, 1926, in Oklahoma to Eldon and Harriet Haley. Her family then moved to St. Louis where she lived until the war began. She met the love of her life, Tom, at a USO dance and they got married 13 dates later, just before Tom shipped out during WWII. He was a nose gunner bombardier on a B24. Angels protected Tom as his plane was shot down three times over Europe. He returned to his Helen and they remained married for 44 years until Tom died in 1989 from ALS.
Helen was preceded in death by her younger sister, whom she adored, Ellie Harris.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Tom Tinney (Lee) and John Tinney (Tammy); grandchildren, Patrick Tinney (Trisha), Beth Tinney, Katie Burnett (Justin), Juliet Blotzer (Shon) and Scott Tinney (Grayson); and great-grandchildren, Olivia Tinney, Isabelle Williams, Haley Tinney and Genevieve Blotzer.
Helen was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, and worshiped at St. Andrews Covenant Presbyterian Church for all of her time in Wilmington. She was a member of the philanthropic organization, PEO, for over 40 years. She was an avid golfer, lived in Pine Valley on the golf course and played for many years. She was very creative, enjoying sewing and knitting and sharing these gifts with many lucky recipients.
Her career was her family and she devoted herself to her husband and sons. However, this career did not end once her sons were grown; her love, generosity and unselfishness toward her family have shone brightly until the end. She will be greatly missed.
A private graveside service will be held for the family, which will be officiated by the Rev. Jim Snider. Burial will follow at Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Andrews Mortuary.
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