Helen D. Locke

Helen D. Locke, 93, former teacher in the Warren area, died May 13, 2009 in San Diego, Calif. after a short illness. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Warren on Saturday, June 6, at 2:00 p.m. Alpha Omega chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma will conduct a Ceremony of Remembrance during the memorial service. Private interment has taken place at Brookfield Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that material contributions be made to the memorial fund of First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481 or the Scholarship Fund of Delta Kappa Gamma at 1766 Bonnie Brae NE, Warren, Ohio 44483.

Mrs. Locke lived in San Diego, California, since August 2008. Previously, she resided at Lake Vista Retirement Village in Cortland for four years and in Howland and Champion, Ohio, for most of her adult life.

She was born on October 21, 1915, in Sharon, PA, the daughter of John and Nora (Miller) Davies. She married Harry J. Locke on July 24, 1941; he preceded her in death on January 30, 1984.

Mrs. Locke graduated from Sharon High School in 1932. She was a 1936 graduate of Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA, where she earned an AB degree in English. She enjoyed a rewarding professional life as an English teacher for the Champion School District, where she taught both high school and junior high English for 25 years, retiring in 1980. She also taught in the Brookfield, Ohio, school district for five years early in her career.

Mrs. Locke was a dedicated community leader in the Warren area. She was nursery school director at First United Methodist Church, Sunday School teacher, founder of many Child Conservation League (CCL) groups, Eastern Star member, 50-year member of Delta Kappa Gamma professional fraternity, member of Association of American University Women, past president of American Business Women's Association, member of YWCA, Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, and life member of Ohio and Trumbull County Retired Teachers Associations.

Another avid interest of Mrs. Locke's was traveling. Over her lifetime she visited all 50 states and made several trips to Canada and Europe. She also enjoyed reading and attending book clubs. She was an enthusiastic nature lover and especially appreciated gardening and bird-watching. Most important, however, was her love for doing for others, especially her family and friends.

Mrs. Locke is survived by a son, James L. (Randa) Locke of Darnestown, MD; a daughter, Nancy Jean (Rod) Girvin of San Diego; and seven grandchildren. A brother, John L. Davies and a sister, Ruth D. Nesbit, preceded her in death.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.