Dear Members and Friends,
With heavy hearts we tearfully share the sad news of Helen Dean’s untimely death and plans for a Celebration of her life.
Helen Barbara Dean, 79 of Roanoke passed away May 12, 2024. A Celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 11:00AM at the Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Ave., SW, Roanoke, VA. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Second Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Women or the Roanoke Youth Symphony. (Link: Serenity Funeral Home)
Helen’s life was full of numerous accomplishments and extensive community service. Her impact on Roanoke Valley Democratic Women and so many other Roanoke Valley organizations is immeasurable.
Please join us as we give heartfelt thanks and pay respectful tributes for this remarkable woman, friend, and colleague, HELEN B. DEAN.
In Her Own Words
On April 10, 2024, just a month before her passing, Helen prepared a personal biography to be shared with U.S. Congresswoman and Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger. Helen did not feel well on the day of the board’s much-anticipated meeting with Rep. Spanberger but we learn firsthand and in her own words, how Helen described her amazing life:
Bio for Helen B. Dean
Graduated from Knoxville College. During the summer at Knoxville, worked for the Atomic Energy Commission.
Helen Dean has worked with the Roanoke Valley Democratic Women in several capacities including fund raising. She is the past President of this organization, is a member of the Roanoke County Democrats and Botetourt Democrats and serves as an officer of elections for Roanoke County.
Companies she worked for: Junior high Teacher in Washington, DC, IBM as a Systems Analyst in Indianapolis, IN; Xerox Corporation in Chicago and Dallas at the field level, Regional Level and held a National Position. At Xerox, I managed a national support organization and led a sales team as a Regional Sales Manager in Chicago, IL. Worked for TruSecure as a technical team leader in securing networks and retired from Thomson Financial as the President of a group that worked with financial instruments in the US, London, Germany and in Paris.
Served on boards in the Roanoke Valley: Family Promise; Roanoke Symphony as chair for Education; Apple Ridge; Community Representative for the Junior League; president of the CASA Board; served on the Opera Board; Presbyterian Children’s Center; Moderator for Presbyterian Children’s Home in Wytheville; and am currently serving on the Arts Commission for the City of Roanoke.
Works in support of Harrison Museum of African American Culture with programs and grants to secure funding for this important organization in the African American community; served as one of the vice presidents for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and worked with Jabberwock to secure funding for scholarships for students; and worked as a CASA (court appointed special advocate) for 5 years.
Served as an elder at Second Presbyterian Church; served as Moderator for Presbytery of the Peaks; Cabinet Moderator; Trustee Member and served on the Sexual Misconduct Committee for the Peaks. Serves as a permanent member of the Synod Judicial Committee and currently serving as Vice Moderator for National Black Presbyterian Women and as the Historian for Presbyterian Women at the Synod level.
Awards and Recognition: Dollars and Sense – Top 100 Black Business and Professional Women, recognized in Who’s Who in Finance, while at Xerox and Thompson was awarded President’s Club for achieving financial goals for the teams; Bella Magazine’s Women in the Community, and currently recognized in the Roanoker Magazine for volunteer support.
