Helen Eaton Baseley

Helen Eaton Baseley, 94, of Thurmont, Maryland, passed from this life on Monday, September 28, 2026, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was the devoted wife of 68 years to Richard J. Baseley.

Born on October 27, 1931, in Pontiac, IL, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence Eaton and Mina (Slimpert) Eaton of Newton, IL. She grew up in Paulding, OH and Newton, IL where her parents had a farm.

Helen earned the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washington University in St. Louis.

Her nursing career lasted 30 years including neurosurgery recovery and geriatrics. She finished her career at Citizens Nursing Home in Frederick, MD.

She was a Cub Scout Den Mother for many years for each of her four sons. She was a member of the Rose Hill Carriage Driving Club and hosted a square dance and pig roast for the club. Helen participated in many of the Lewistown Ruritan Club’s famous chicken barbecues.

As a young woman Helen dreamed of becoming a nurse and having a family. She attained these dreams and so much more. Nothing made her happier than being with family. Helen liked to host family reunions, crab feasts, graduation parties and weddings at her home.

She was an avid reader and a very frequent visitor to the Thurmont library. Helen loved horses and was a horsewoman for most of her life. Gardening was another passion. Her gardens provided countless meals for family and customers of the Thurmont Food Bank. She enjoyed outdoor adventures with family and traveling with her husband to visit family, other countries, museums, and various tourist sites.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by sisters Katherine and Betty, brother William (Barbara), sons Richard (Susan), James (Eva), Kenneth, and Douglas, grandchildren Wyatt, Joshua (Terra), Kyle (Dana), Brett, Logan (Sophia), Samuel (Megan), Dillon, Sara, Garrett (Cameron) and Wade and 7 great-grandchildren. Helen was devoted to all her family and was deeply loved by all.

She is preceded in death by brother Lawrence, sister Mary, and grandson Lucas James Baseley.

A celebration of Helen's life journey will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Stauffer Funeral Homes, 104 East Main Street, Thurmont, MD. The Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Miller will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to the Frederick County Public Library at https://www.fcpl.org/support, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont, MD 21788, and the Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program at https://www.fc4htrp.org/, 11515 Angleberger Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.