Mary Lou Helt

Mary Lou Helt, 80, of Lancaster, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 at the Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Passaic, NJ she was the daughter of the late Harold C. and Frances Wright Killheffer. Mary Lou was the wife of the late, Francis L. Helt who died in May of 1987. An expert custom designer, she was employed by Kitnit Needlecrafts of Lancaster. Mary Lou was also a technical advisor for Meredith Publications, “Better Homes & Gardens Magazine”; and was a Consumer Testing Stitcher for Dimensions. In her earlier years she worked as a reporter, staff writer, for Lancaster Newspapers.

Surviving are three daughters, Jane L. wife of Mark Dettrey of Willow Street, Judith L. Ross of Marietta, Kate Ross of Mount Joy, five grandchildren, Michael, Nathaniel, Sarah and Peter Ross and Ryan Dettrey, and a sister, Joan Shenk of Manheim. Preceding her in death is a daughter, Mary Frances Helt.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mary Lou’s Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at the home of Judith Ross, 590 East Market Street, Marietta, on Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 4:00 PM.