Bridgeport Resident who was Elementary Teacher for Over 30 Years, Helen Marie (Cronin) Turnell, Passes
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on June 27, 2024
Helen Marie (Cronin) Turnell, 93, of Bridgeport, WV, passed away on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Elison Independent Living of Maplewood. She was born on June 25, 1930, in Jane Lew, WV, daughter of the late Richard Joseph Cronin II and Nina Jane (Funk) Cronin.
Helen treasured her memories growing up with her three siblings on the Cronin family farm; she loved the simple beauty of God’s creation. Helen was a 1948 graduate of Jane Lew High School and later graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC). During her time at
WVWC, she was a proud alumna of Alpha Xi Delta Beta Sigma Chapter. She completed her postgraduate studies at George Washington University and American University in Washington D.C. Helen was West Virginia’s Representative for the 1953 International Farm Youth Exchange and a 4-H All Star. Celebrated for her exceptional sewing skills, she attended the prestigious 4-H Club Congress held in Chicago.
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Helen taught elementary school in Montgomery County, MD, for more than 30 years and impacted the lives of countless children. She met the love of her life, the late Claude Marvon Turnell, and was a devoted and loving wife. They retired in Fort Myers, FL, where they enjoyed golfing and spending time on the water before moving back to Helen’s home among the hills. Claude preceded her in death on July 15, 2010.
Helen attended Bridgeport United Methodist Church and was an active volunteer for the WVCEOS. She cherished her Maplewood family and was an avid WVU Mountaineer fan.
Helen is also preceded in death by her sisters, Betty Cronin Lilly (Dr. Milton Lilly) of Charleston, WV, and Mary Cronin Davisson (John B. Davisson) of Jane Lew, WV; her brother, Richard Joseph Cronin III (Josephine Cronin) of Weston, WV; her niece, Rebecca Lilly of Charleston, WV; and her nephews, David Lloyd Cronin of Jane Lew, WV, Donald Joseph Cronin of Jane Lew, WV, John B. Davisson II of Jane Lew, WV, and Thomas Cronin Davisson of Clarksburg, WV.
Helen is survived by her stepdaughters, Debra Turnell of Frederick, MD, Sheryll Gent (Tim Gent) of Vero Beach, FL, and Monique Urban (Gerry Urban) of Conifer, CO; and her stepson, Greg Turnell (Jeanne Scott) of Denton, MD, along with 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Helen, affectionally known as “Aunt Hono,” is also survived by the families of Janice Lilly Runyon of Charleston, WV; Cathy Lilly of Atlanta, GA; Martha Lilly Fogle (Dr. William Fogle) of Johns Island, SC; Milton Judson Lilly (Karen Lilly) of Waverly, OH; Stephan Cronin (Tabitha Cronin) of Jane Lew, WV; Richard Joseph Cronin IV (Cindy Cronin) of Manassas, VA, and the late Thomas Cronin Davisson (Catherine Davisson) of Clarksburg, WV, which include several great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at Elison Independent Living of Maplewood in Bridgeport, WV. Online condolences may be sent to www.DavisFuneralHomeWV.com. Davis Funeral Home is honored to serve the Turnell and Cronin families.