Helen Charlotte Gilde (nee Schoener) of 2028 Dausha Court, Warsaw, died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at the age of 88.

Helen C. Gilde

Born March 24, 1934, in Laureldale, Pa., she resided most of her adult life in Marietta, Ohio.

Helen is survived by daughters, Emily Gilde (James Pletcher) and Ellen Schwendeman (James); four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Her husband of 67 years, Hans-Georg Gilde, passed away in February 2023. Also preceding her in death were her parents, William R. and Helen M. Schoener; her sister, Jane K. Goodwin; and her brother, Robert W. Schoener.

Helen will be remembered for her intelligence, enthusiasm and strong drive to achieve. After graduating as valedictorian from Muhlenberg High School in Laureldale, Pa., in 1952, she became the first person in her family to go to college. At Albright College in Reading, Pa., Helen excelled scholastically and threw herself into a wide variety of activities, serving as editor of the college newspaper, senior editor of the yearbook and varsity basketball captain. She was a member of Pi Alpha Tau sorority, where she made many lifelong friends. During this time, Helen also rose to prominence in the national chapter of Camp Fire Girls Inc. and was featured in Seventeen magazine in 1953 for her leadership role in that organization.

After graduating magna cum laude from Albright, Helen attended Smith College School for social work in Northampton, Mass., before marrying Hans-Georg Gilde, a German immigrant, in 1955. The couple moved to Marietta, Ohio, where Helen embraced her new role as mother of two girls. From 1971-1998, Helen was employed by Marietta City Schools where she served as a loving tutor and teacher of the learning disabled. While working full time, she also completed a master’s degree in education in 1983. She spent much of her free time attending professional workshops, conferences and meetings that focused on teaching the learning disabled.

Helen was inspired and comforted by the beauty of nature her whole life. From happy childhood summers at the family cabin at Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos to the many trips to Europe later with her husband and family, Helen recorded her observations with great feeling. Among her many accomplishments, she will be remembered as a skilled nature photographer and graphic designer.

Per her wishes, Helen will be cremated, and a private family celebration of her life will be held.

To leave a condolence, please visit www.TitusFuneralHome.com.