Helen M (Fenstemaker) Adams

Helen M. (Fenstemaker) Adams, 90, passed away at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville on September 29, 2023 with her only son, Thomas, by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Paul N. Adams, Jr., who passed away on October 29, 2020. Helen was the last surviving member of her immediate family, the youngest of 11 children, born May 10, 1933. Her parents were Paul N. Fenstemaker (1890-1977) and Sarah E. Keifer (1890-1955) of Berwick and siblings: Henry, (1909-1991); Bruce (1911-1993); Anna Laubaugh (1913-1993); Robert (1918-1982); Bennie (1916-1981); David (1920-2010); Albert (1922-2002); Doyle (1925-2006); Marion Waltz (1928-2012); and Graydon (1930-2006). Helen and Paul resided with their son Thomas, in the western part of Berwick prior to sharing a room together at Sunset Ridge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, near Lightstreet, moving there in 2017. When she lived in Berwick, she was a newspaper carrier in her neighborhood, starting in 1979 after taking over her son’s route of 80 customers who delivered for about 3 years prior. She would get awake in the early morning hours for more than 30 years, to deliver the paper with the assistance of her husband in the later years. She was honored with “Carrier of the Month” and “Carrier of the Year” during that time.

Surviving is a son, Thomas “Tom” Adams, who resides in South Centre Township with friend, Evonne. There are also numerous nieces and nephews and she loved family and friends. She also loved and cared for the two Chihuahuas that she had fostered during her life.

Helen attended Berwick schools as a child and a few different churches during her lifetime, having a strong faith in God and singing hymns. She loved music and hearing local bands at carnivals in the last century. Helen also enjoyed flowers and spent most of her life homemaking and raising her son, whom she was very proud of. She was very generous, having bought snow cones and ice cream for all the kids with her son when they were playing outside and the vendor would come around. She also liked bingo, the outdoors and riding her bicycle, which she used the basket to deliver newspapers before her husband drove her around in the car. She never drove. 

A celebration of life for both Helen and Paul Adams will be held Thursday November 2, 2023 at 10:30 am at the James L. Hickley, Jr. Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 1024 Market StreetBerwick with Pastor Ryan L. Reigh conducting the service. Their remains will be buried in Pine Grove Cemetery on Walnut Street in Berwick. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her memory to Nescopeck Area Historical & Genealogical Society, c/o 429 Berwick Hazleton Hwy, Nescopeck PA 18635.

Family and friends may send online condolences to jameslhinckleyjrfuneralhome.com. The James L. Hinckley Jr. Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Berwick is handling arrangements.

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