Helen A. Marks, 78, of Severna Park, passed on November 2, 2021 at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center surrounded by her family.

Helen was born January 30, 1943 in Hempstead, New York to Anthony and Tessie Nowoczenski (nee Kleskowski).  She graduated from Hempstead High School in New York.

Helen moved to Severna Park with her now ex-husband John Marks in 1971 where they raised three daughters during their 25-year marriage. It was important to Helen that her daughters grew up to be strong, educated, independent-thinking women. Through her encouragement and support, all three daughters earned graduate degrees.  Following her divorce from John, Helen was in a 21-year committed relationship with Joseph White.

Professionally, Helen was a local realtor and bank employee. In her younger years, she volunteered at a rape crisis hotline and implemented a Block Parent Program in her neighborhood. In retirement, Helen was an active volunteer at Partners In Care in Pasadena, MD.

Helen was an avid reader and a member of a local book club.  She also took joy in her friendships--Roberta, Doc, Dianne, Pat, Judy, Janice, Wayne, Fay and others--who were great sources of support during the pandemic shut down.

She had a funny, quirky sense of humor and often gave her daughters life advice using twisted clichés that brought a laugh. These "Helen-isms" have been passed down to the grandchildren.

Helen was an excellent cook and knew many family recipes from memory.  She hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinners, making a generous amount of food because her daughters always fought over the leftovers.

Helen in survived by her three daughters and their spouses: Susan Brubaker (Mark) of Severna Park, MD, Elizabeth Meassick (Raymond) of Eldersburg, MD, and Kate Marks Hardy (Edmond) of Towson, MD; eight grandchildren: Kayla, Nate, Dane, Julia, John, Abby, Connor and Ewan; her beloved sister Wilma Wierbicki of Garden City, NY; her nieces Regina Moran (Mike) of Garden City, NY and Laura Savino (Sarah) of Maplewood, NJ and their children; and Joe's two daughters--Melissa Morseberger of Mount Airy, MD and Megan Becker of Land O Lakes, FL--and their children.

She is preceded in death by her parents and Joseph White.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday December 4, 2021 from 1:00pm-3:00pm at the Barranco Severna Park Funeral Home & Cremation Care, P.A. 495 Ritchie Hwy. Severna Park, MD 21146.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Partners In Care (Pasadena, MD).