Patricia Bernice Gibson Helt

PATRICIA GIBSON HELT

Patricia Bernice Gibson Helt, 94, of West Cape May, N.J., passed away peacefully on May 3, at AtlantiCare Mainland Hospital.

Born Sept. 23, 1931, in Lock Haven, Pa., Patricia was the daughter of Patricia Kulick Gibson and Frank Gibson.

She attended Lock Haven Catholic High School, followed by the University of Miami and Lock Haven State College focusing on German language and education.

Patricia was an outstanding athlete in many fields. She held championships in tennis, golf, skiing and canoeing. In 1987, she was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame for her athletic accomplishments. Her favorite sport was skiing; she and her husband Delbert (Junie) Helt traveled for a month every winter for many years to Kitzbuhel, Austria, to ski. They became well known in Kitzbuhel and were eventually awarded the key to the city.

Gardening, chess and entertaining were also some of her favorite activities.

She and Junie left Lock Haven in 1982 to live in Cape Coral, Fla. While there, she played tennis and made many friends. She and her sister-in-law, Mary Gibson, held the USTA South Florida women’s doubles top position for many years. During that time, they would summer in Cape May, eventually moving to Cape May year-round in 2006. She established herself as a formidable opponent at the Cape May Tennis Club, where, once again, the sport of tennis brought her new friends and wonderful times.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Delbert; her son, Frank; brother, Kennard Gibson, and his wife, Mary; and step-granddaughter, Marie Harris. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Kline, and husband, Wesley; son Delbert (Tag) Helt, III and wife Kathy; daughter-in-law, Susan Helt; her grandchildren, Zammany Kline, Ian Helt and Nicole, Bryce McKinley; step-grandchildren, Janelle, Tyler and Bethany Brown and Marline Gladden. She has one great-grandson, Nicholas Helt; five step-great-grandchildren, Aurianna and Christiana Gladden, Cameron Litz and Caylyn and Wyatt Harris; a niece, Grace Scov; and a nephew, Kennard Gibson.

Patricia will be remembered for her love for her family and friends, her kindness, her spirit, her wisdom and the love for a good battle — be it at the card table, on the courts, links or in discussion. Her wisdom and love of life were gifts to everyone who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cape May Tennis Club Scholarship Fund, where Patricia nurtured many in the sport.

Friends and family are invited to Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Road, North Cape May, N.J., on Wednesday, May 6, from 3-4 p.m., to pay their respects and on Saturday, May 9, from 10-11 a.m., followed by Funeral Services at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, 1175 W. Fourth St., Lock Haven, Pa. Pastor David Miller will be officiating.

Interment will be held on the grounds of the Highlands Cemetery in Lock Haven.