Obituary of Helen C. Newby

Helen C. (McNichol) Newby, 86, of Norristown, PA, more recently of Mt. Laurel, NJ passed away peacefully in the presence of family members on Monday August 6, 2018. Helen was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 6, 1932. She was the daughter of the late Bernard F. and Sarah (nee Gosnear) McNichol and the wife of the late Robert F. Newby. Helen attended St. Francis Xavier Grade School and graduated from J. W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School, Class of 1950. She remained an active and very proud alumnus contributing to both schools in many ways. Her bi-annual luncheons with the "St. Franny's First Graders" were highlights of the year. Helen worked as an Assistant Special Education Teacher with The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. Based on her lifelong passion for helping others, this was neither a job nor were her 'kids', her students. They were family. With her late husband Robert, Helen worked on the creation and commercialization of the business, Newby Visualanguage, a unique curriculum of beautifully illustrated books and materials geared towards the improved education of the language impaired. She travelled the country presenting the material at educational conventions; a midlife brave adventure for a kid from Fairmount. Helen was a loving daughter, sister, mother and grandmother to her family, as this was always her first priority. She made friends so easily, always greeting everyone with a magic smile and willing to listen without judgment to anyone in need. She was extremely proud of her Irish heritage, adored her Philadelphia Phillies and provided a welcoming lap to a variety of family pets no matter the size. Helen is survived by her 3 children; Gregg (& Terry) Newby of Charleston SC , Kelly (& Gail Kantor) of Valley Village, CA and Jeff (& Marie Newby) of Mt. Laurel, NJ and her 5 grandchildren; Shawn, Meghan, Nicole, Shannon & Colin. Along with her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers Daniel F. McNichol & William H. Starr and a sister, Ruth Hubler Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday August 11, 2018 at 10:00 AM from the Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home 19 East Germantown Pike, East Norriton, Pa 19401 Friends may call on Saturday morning from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home 300 Fayette Street Conshohocken PA Interment will take place in George Washington Memorial Park, Plymouth Meeting, Pa Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Francis Xavier Elementary School or J.W. Hallahan High School. Helen has been living in New Jersey for the last 10 years, formerly of Norristown, Pa She was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa Helen graduated from Hallahan High School. She worked as an Assistant Special Education Teacher with The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The she worked with her late husband with Newby Visualanguage.