Helen Eileen Shuman

Helen Eileen Shuman (Turner) died on November 7, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware at age 87. She was born to Ellis H. Turner and Minnie M. Turner, and grew up on their dairy farm with her seven siblings. After graduating from the Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital School of Nursing in 1953, Helen had a long, satisfying career as a registered nurse. She worked in hospitals and nursing homes in Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware, the student infirmary at Delaware State College, and for the last 14 years of her career at Grandview Nursing Home in Danville, Pennsylvania. She was well-suited to her chosen profession, as she was extremely compassionate and hard-working. Her colleagues enjoyed her goofy humor, natural teaching ability and generous spirit. Two of Helen’s daughters followed in her footsteps to be registered nurses.

Before moving to Delaware in 2017 to be closer to her daughters, Helen enjoyed assembling jigsaw puzzles, reading, crocheting, baking, writing letters to lifelong friends and helping out with church events at Canby Lutheran Church.

Helen was predeceased by her parents; brothers Fred Turner and Merle Turner; sister Eilean Kitchen Ashenfelder; and her ex-husband, Conrad Shuman. She is survived by her five daughters: Laurene Eckbold (Roy), LaVerne Shuman, LaDawn Goodwin (Dan), Darlene Jordan (Sam) and Deanna Henderson (Terry); her foster son, Bruno Crudo; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brothers James Turner (Darlene) and Jon Turner (Shirley), and sisters Jane Fritz (Herbert) and Elaine Snyder.

A celebration of Helen’s life will be held in Bloomsburg sometime in the spring of 2021 when the weather is fairer and the pandemic less deadly. Donations may be made in Helen’s name to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org).