Helen M. Nolan, of Smyrna, passed away at her home on February 3, 2017. She was 80.

Helen was born in Elizabeth, NJ, the daughter of the late John and Helen (nee O'Hara) Sullivan.

She grew up in Elizabeth, NJ in the Keighry Head, Westminster, and North End neighborhoods and later, moved to Roselle, NJ where she raised her family until the early-1990s. She subsequently lived in Princeton and Columbus, NJ, and has resided in Smyrna, DE since 2004.

She was a graduate of Sacred Heart H.S., Elizabeth, NJ, and graduated with honors in 1983 from Kean College, Union, NJ, with a B.S. degree in Political Science after many years of part-time course work while raising her children. She was very proud to have graduated from college the same year as her daughter, Judy.

She was a 'Mom' to her children's friends, and they continued to visit after her children left home. She was also known to argue a point for the fun of the debate all while being well-informed on the topics.

Helen was an avid reader of science fiction, military thrillers, and romance novels; enjoyed playing Spanish folk guitar; delighted in the local senior center events and the friends she made there; and was an enthusiastic Mixed League bowler. She was also a longtime supporter of St. Jude Children's Hospital.

Helen retired from the federal government after having been with the Social Security Agency for more than 22 years.

She was preceded in death by her son, Robert J. (Bobby) Nolan; and her brother, John (Jack) Sullivan.

She is survived by her husband of almost 57 years, Robert T. Nolan (married 2/6/60), of Smyrna; a daughter, Judy Nolan Anderson and her husband, Tom, of Olney, MD; and grandchildren, Kevin and Casey Wall of Maryland, and Brian, Matthew and Lauren Nolan of New Jersey. She will surely be missed by her family and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 12:00 PM Thursday, February 16 at St. Polycarp Catholic Church, where a visitation will be held in the parish hall from 10:30 AM - 12 PM.

Interment will be 2:00 PM Thursday at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Rd., Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.