Obituary of Helen M. Rankin

Helen (Montgomery) Rankin, age 88, of Swarthmore, PA, died Thursday, October 13, 2016, at her beloved home of 64 years. Helen was born April 19, 1928, in the Garden City section of Neither Providence, PA. Helen graduated from Nether Providence High School and then from the University of Pennsylvania in 1949, with a BA in Education. Mrs. Rankin was a life time member of Wallingford Presbyterian Church. With her husband, she was a founding member of the Swarthmore Swim Club. Helen enjoyed summer vacations in Ocean City, NJ; Lake Candlewood, CT; and Chesapeake City, MD. In 1984, Helen and Dick bought a cottage on the Elk River, MD, where the family could swim and sail. While raising her children, she loved to knit and do needlepoint. Later in life, she enjoyed collecting pig knick knacks (glass, china & more). Helen had fun hosting many family holidays, picnics and parties. In her later years, Helen cared for older members of the family. She endeared herself to many with her feistiness and independent spirit. Most of all, Helen's world was her family and she enjoyed every moment with them. She was predeceased by her parents, Grant Ellis and Grace (Allen) Montgomery, Sr., loving husband Richard E. Rankin and her brother Grant E. Montgomery, Jr. Survivors: Children: Lynn Rankin Jordan (Terral M. Jordan) of Cockeysville MD; G. Montgomery "Monty" Rankin, Esq. (Jane P. Rankin, Esq.) of Deerfield Bch, FL; Newlin E. Rankin (Rev. Ellen L. Rankin) of San Anselmo, CA. Grandchildren: Dr. Tim M. Rankin, MD (Kanika M Rankin, Esq); Terral "TR" R. Jordan (Dr. Patricia Michelle Fogerson, Ph.d.); Grace L. Rankin and Allene "Allie Mac" M. Jordan. Great-Granddaughter: Anika "Ani" M. Rankin Funeral Service: Friday, October 28th at 11:00AM at Wallingford Presbyterian Church, 110 E. Brookhaven Road, Wallingford, PA 19086. Visitation: Thursday, October 27th from 6:00-8:00PM at Minshall Shropshire-Bleyler Funeral Home, Ltd., Middletown (Rte. #352) & Knowlton Rds., Middletown Twp., Media, PA 19063, and Friday, October 28th after 10:00AM at Wallingford Presbyterian Church. Interment: Chester Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to: The Pennsylvania Ballet (paballet.org) in Philadelphia, PA or CADES: Children & Adult Disability & Educational Services (cades.org) in Swarthmore, PA. Addition information on CaringBridge.com