Helen V. Sommer died peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving and caring family on Sunday, October 7, 2018.

Born in Washington, D.C. on July 28, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Lula Helen Sanford.

Helen lived in Congress Heights, Washington, D.C. for the first 42 years of her life. She attended Congress Heights Elementary School and graduated from Anacostia High School in February 1939. After graduating from secretarial school, she worked in the bookkeeping department of People’s Drug Stores. As a young woman, she was an active member of Congress Heights Baptist Church and taught Sunday School to many children, including country music legend Roy Clark.

During World War II, Helen became pen pals with Robert (Bob) Sommer while he was stationed with the Army in Bermuda. They were married in a beautiful candlelight ceremony on October 20, 1945 in her mother’s home. Helen and Bob were married for 63 years before he passed away on July 23, 2009.

After their marriage, Helen worked at the National Geographic Society until 1953, when she resigned to take care of their first daughter, Cheryl, and seven years later, their daughter Robin. During this time, she was a member of East Washington Heights Baptist Church and Fort Washington Baptist Chapel, where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union. Helen was the hospitality chair of the Congress Heights PTA.

In 1963, Helen moved with her family to Rome, NY, where Bob worked for Mohawk Airlines, and subsequently to Liverpool, NY, where she began working at Marine Midland Bank. The family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, in 1971, where Bob attended seminary. Helen was the secretary for the Music Librarian at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary until 1973. The family then moved to Brentwood, NY, where she fulfilled her role as a pastor’s wife and was employed by the Connetquot Teachers Association as a secretary.

In December 1993, Helen relocated to Fishkill, NY with her husband. For eight years, Helen and Bob led a senior exercise program at the Fishkill Village Hall. They were active participants in the Fishkill Village Garden Club, planting and tending the flowers at Village Hall. They also served as election inspectors.

Helen is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Alejandro Munoz of Brentwood, NY and Robin and Phil Fulco of Fishkill, NY; five grandchildren: Sebastian (Kimberly), Cristian and Claudia Munoz and Victoria Mazzuca (Chris) and Matthew Fulco and four great-grandchildren, Gabrielle, Leah, Emily and Christopher. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Velma Sanford of Frankfort, DE, as well as nieces, nephews and many friends.

Calling hours will be held at McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 6:00 p.m.

Burial will take place on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Mission:Dignity, P.O. Box 81909, Dallas, TX 75381-9957 or www.missiondignity.org. (1-877-888-9409).

The family wishes to thank the home healthcare aides and Hospice, Inc. for their compassionate care and guidance during Helen’s illness.

Please visit her Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.