Helen K. Loughran's Obituary
Helen June Knox Loughran died at her home in Lewes, Delaware on June 3, 2011. She was 97. Formerly of Rehoboth Beach and Washington, D. C., Helen was born in Kansas City, Missouri on June 25, 1913 to Frank and Lena Rau Knox. A graduate of Northeast High School where she finished fourth in the Class of 1930, Helen also attended Kansas City Junior College where she studied library science and acquired strong administrative skills.
During World War II, Helen moved to the Nation’s Capital and secured a position at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) where she worked in the Library Division assisting laboratories working on aeronautical research. NACA became the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958.
In 1950, Helen accepted a position at the United States Supreme Court where she had oversight responsibilities for the acquisition and printing of all records associated with cases being presented to the Court. The work involved interacting with attorneys, securing records from the lower courts, and negotiating with the official court printer. Her efficiency resulted in increased responsibilities, including compilation of all case statistics. She retired in 1975 as Assistant Clerk of the Court where every day was “a privilege and a joy”.
At a 1951 Reserve Officers Club social at the historic Heurich Brewery in Washington, D.C., Helen met her future husband, Patrick H. Loughran, a native Washingtonian. They married in 1953 and for 50 years led loving and productive lives built around family, friends, work and service. Helen was an active and committed member of the Constitution Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the North Cleveland Park Citizen’s Association. She was a 50 year member of and regularly worshipped at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Capitol Hill.
Helen and Patrick retired to Rehoboth Beach in 1979 and became enthusiastic participants in community life making many new friends while remaining connected to their life in the city. Helen was an associate member of the Colonel David Hall Chapter of the DAR in Lewes, Delaware, the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach and served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rehoboth Art League. The community at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior where she was an involved and active member was a joy to her.
Preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her brother, Holmes, Helen is survived by her brothers-in-law, Stephen N. Loughran of Vienna, VA., Joseph Loughran of Richmond, VA., and scores of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also will be missed by legions of friends who span the generations.
A memorial service to celebrate Helen Loughran’s long life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware 19971, (302) 227-3066 or www.lcosrehoboth.org. Inurnment in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery will be at a later date.
Contributions in Helen’s memory can be made to the Building Fund at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, The Salvation Army International/Women’s Ministries, 615 Slaters Lane, PO Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22313, or the YMCA of Delaware/Sussex Family YMCA, 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 1100, Wilmington, DE 19801.
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