Helen Maxine (Abplanalp) Grigsby, 89, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, and love that will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.
Helen was born on January 11, 1937, the daughter of the late Frank and Louella (Arthur) Abplanalp. She grew up in the Pierceville community, where her story began long before she could have imagined just how beautifully her life would unfold.
You see, sometimes something as simple as the sound of a horn can change everything.
The man blowing that horn for the big city of Delaware was none other than James “Jimmy” Grigsby. Before long, the two fell in love—and honestly, the rest is history. Helen and Jim were united in marriage on November 26, 1955, and Helen was incredibly proud that they shared 70 years of marriage together. They spent a short time living at Negengard’s Corner before returning to Delaware, where they would build their home, their family, and a lifetime of memories together.
Helen and Jim were blessed with four children: Jeff, Terry, Brenda, and Becky. They became a staple family in the Delaware community, and Helen was at the heart of it all.
Helen was a woman of deep faith and a lifetime member of Delaware Methodist Church. Her faith was an important part of who she was and provided her strength throughout the many seasons of her life.
But perhaps her greatest earthly blessing was her family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren brought her tremendous happiness. She was the corner post of her family—the one who could always be counted on, the one who put others before herself, and the one who was there whenever she was needed.
Around the home, Helen was known by many loving names. Paunch, Big Mommer, Grandmother, Grammy, Grandma, Nanaw, and Granny, just to name a few. Each name represented a special relationship and a different chapter of the family she loved so dearly. No matter what they called her, she was simply the one they could count on—the heart of the family and a place of comfort, love, and laughter.
Helen and Jim knew the deepest sadness a parent can experience with the loss of their son, Jeff, daughter, Brenda, and grandson, Tracy Coleman. Through her faith, Helen found comfort in knowing that death is not the end. Today, she has been reunited with those she loved and missed so dearly.
Throughout her working years, Helen helped Marie Benham with her dry-cleaning business. She also spent many years doing something she truly enjoyed—baking countless wedding cakes for families and couples celebrating one of life’s happiest occasions. Her talents in the kitchen didn’t stop there. Helen loved to bake and cook around the house, and she even enjoyed collecting cookbooks, always having another recipe or idea to try. Her kitchen was a place where love was often served right alongside the food, and many family members and friends undoubtedly enjoyed the delicious results of her work.
The Delaware community has suffered the loss of another staple—a woman whose life was woven into the fabric of the community and whose greatest contribution was the love she gave to her family and those around her. Helen will be remembered not simply for the years she lived, but for the love, faith, strength, and family she leaves behind.
Helen is survived by her son, Terry (Donna) Grigsby; daughter, Becky Coleman; grandchildren, Travis Coleman, Troy Coleman, Shawn (Samantha) Ison, Dalton (Melissa) Grigsby, Haley (Shawn) Settles, Logan (Hannah) Simon, Jacob Simon, D.J. (Brittany) Simon, and Alisha Simon; great-grandchildren, Trevor, Liam, Aubree, Peyton, Grayson, and Callie Mae; and son-in-law, Wayne Simon. She is also survived by other family members and friends who will cherish her memory.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Louella Abplanalp; husband, James “Jim” Grigsby; son, Jeff Grigsby; daughter, Brenda Simon; and grandson, Tracy Coleman.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 5, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Neal’s Funeral Home. Funeral services will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m., with Pastor Tim Osborne officiating. Burial will follow at Grigsby Cemetery in Delaware.
Memorials may be given to the Grigsby Family Cemetery in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be placed at nealsfuneralhome.net.