Helen C. Schwarten

Helen Schwarten entered into rest Friday, November 2, 2012, at the Memorial Hospital at Easton. Born on March 7, 1932, in Spring Grove, PA, as the second of four siblings she was the daughter of T. Hazel Clark and Margaret Shutt Clark of Easton. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, James T. Clark. Left to grieve are her husband of 63 years, Hans H. Schwarten; siblings, John E. Clark and Peg Hubbard; daughters, Linda Evens (John) of Easton, MD, Lou Ann McCaughey (Kevin) of Sparks, MD; Lois MacDonald (Phil) of Cordova, MD; three grandchildren, Philip MacDonald (Valerie), Sarah McCaughey Sgro (Maurizio), Michael McCaughey; cousins, nieces, and nephews; and one great-grandchild, the sunshine of her life, Charlie Wayne MacDonald. From the time her first grandchild was born, she was known as “Gran.” Helen graduated from Easton High School in 1949, and she and Hans were married in November of that year. She moved to Kitty’s Corner Farm (where Hans lived since infancy) and began the full-time career of homemaking, dairy farming, and raising a family. She and Hans worked side by side every day, even sharing the duty of school bus driving. Her service also extended to Farm Bureau, Southern States Cooperative, Farm Service Agency, and Choptank Electric Cooperative. Above all else, Helen loved and served her family. She was extremely dedicated to coaching her daughters toward excellence in every endeavor, especially 4-H Club work. Helen always made sure there were three meals a day on the table, no matter what, and she and Hans took great satisfaction when everything served on the kitchen table was grown right there on Kitty’s Corner Farm. Helen became a member of Fairview Church of the Brethren shortly after marriage and was a faithful member of that body of Christ for the rest of her life. She loved Jesus and was a woman of prayer, kneeling by her bed every night. When kneeling became physically difficult, she was often heard whispering her petitions softly and inaudibly. She never missed an opportunity to help where she was needed, always with humility and usually behind the scenes. Helen could often be found faithfully tending her vegetable garden and hanging laundry on the clothesline. Known for her signature Swedish Tea Ring pastry, Helen delivered countless of these to people in the community in need of comfort or care. Helen’s life will be celebrated with a viewing on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, in Easton from 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Fairview Church of the Brethren on Thursday, November 8, 2012, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Paul Dodd officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Fairview Church of the Brethren, 11243 Chapel Rd, Cordova, MD 21625, or the Cordova Fire Department, 11864 Kitty’s Corner Road, P.O. Box 102, Cordova, MD 21625.

Helen C. Schwarten

March 7, 1932 - November 2, 2012