Helen Ruth Abicht no longer resides in this world as she passed away Saturday March 19, 2016.  Born Dec. 7, 1913 in Marietta, Ohio, she was the daughter of James Homer Smith and Mabel Wheatley Smith. Her 102 active years allowed every day to be an adventure and her positive attitude spread to all who were around her. As a youth she excelled in sports with track and basketball being her strengths. During WWII she managed the Crystal Dairy Restaurant in Marietta. Following the war, she married Beryl Richard Abicht and moved to Newport News. She lived in Hilton Village from 1946 to 2010 where she was involved in many activities, including coaching in a girls basketball league, leading a Girl Scout troop, a leader in Hilton Elementary and Warwick High School PTA, arranging flowers at Hilton Christian Church for more than 30 years, plus many other committees at the church, designing window displays at The Christmas Store in Smithfield and serving as the leader of the “crack pot security team” at Smithfield Antiques Center. She moved to Smithfield in 2010 as a resident of Magnolia Manor where she shared her zest for life right up until her last day.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Simmermon and her husband Fred of Norfolk; her son, Jim Abicht and his wife Elaine of Smithfield; a grandson, Jeffrey Simmermon of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a granddaughter, Jessica Gillette and her husband of Virginia Beach; and great grandchildren Gavin and Hayley Gillette.

A graveside service will be held Friday, March 25, at St. Luke’s cemetery at 11 a.m. with a reception following at Smithfield Baptist Church Family Life Center, 100 Wainwright Drive, Smithfield.  Guests are invited to bring a fresh flower to place on the grave as a parting gift to Helen who always loved a fresh flower.  A memorial service will be held Friday, March 25, 4 p.m. at Hilton Christian Church, 100 James River Drive, Newport News.
Donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, 870 Greenbrier Circle, Suite 404, Chesapeake, VA 23320 or to a charity of your choice.