Helen Walker Schley

Helen Estelle Walker Schley, 95 years young, passed peacefully at her lifelong home on Church Hill near Myersville with her family at her side on September 29, 2022. The youngest of four daughters, Helen was born at her home at Central on August 31, 1927 to Charles E. and Helen Armstrong Walker. Graduating from Liberty High school (1944), she followed in her father and grandfather’s footsteps to Western Maryland College (McDaniel). A biology and physical education major, she graduated in 1948 and began her career teaching, first at Brunswick High (1948-1951) and later at Middletown High (1958- 1976) and Middletown Middle (1976-1986). As a physical education teacher, she was expected to coach field hockey and basketball—the only sports for girls in the 1960s and early 1970s. In 1973, Middletown girls’ basketball team, coached by Mrs. Schley, played in the first MPSSAA girls basketball tournament (combined classifications), qualifying as the Western Maryland champion. In addition to coaching, she also refereed field hockey and basketball games.

Helen married Donald Schley in February 1950 and spent their lifetime on Church Hill in Myersville. Both were very committed to being active members of the community their whole life. They loved to garden and raise animals on their small acreage. For 20 years they raised and bred Suffolk sheep which their daughters showed in 4-H. Both were Life Members of the Great Frederick Fair and Helen attended every Fair for 94 years. Helen and Don spent many years as active members of the Monocacy Canoe Club, raising their children navigating the rivers of this area and forging lifelong friendships along the way. Helen’s last canoe trip was 10 years ago on the Little Schuylkill River in central PA at age 85.

In retirement, Helen became a charter member of the Frederick Senior Recreation Council. She started running competitively and was a runner for the next 30 years. She competed in
local races, Maryland Senior Olympics, and National Senior Games. On the track, Helen competed in the 400, 800, and 1600/1500-meter races, earning many gold medals and earning national ranking. She was a regular fixture on the local 5K circuit for many years. She has been told numerous times that she was an inspiration and a role model for women on the importance of being active and fit throughout your life. She has been inducted into the Maryland Senior Olympics Hall of Fame and the YMCA Quinn Hall of Fame.

Helen travelled extensively throughout the world. She enjoyed travelling locally, throughout the US and internationally, and has been on every continent. With her travel she was an adventure seeker and made many great memories and friends along the way.

The last of her generation, Helen was predeceased by her husband Donald Schley. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Mary Melton, Don Schley, Jr, Anne (Lee) Zumbach, Susan (Tom) Stecher, and Natalie (Ed) Glunz. Her grandchildren and their spouses: Jonathan (Grace) Melton, Elisabeth (Rob Long) Schley, Joshua (Eileen) Schley, Donald (Margot) Zumbach, Nate Zumbach, Helen (Josh) Zumbach-Woullard, Greg (Allison) Stecher, David (Heather) Stecher, Michael Stecher, Walker (Kelly) Glunz, and Monica (CJ) Glunz. And 15 great-grandchildren: Frederick, Anna, Joseph, Elizabeth, John, Teresa, Carolyn, Mikela, Garrett, Kona-Mae, Crew, Penn, Rose, Shepherd and John. Helen has numerous nieces, nephews and friends scattered across the country.

The family will receive friends from 4pm to 7pm, on Friday, October 7, 2022 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Homes. The service will be held at 10:00AM, on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Frederick County, 1 Frederick Health Way, Frederick, MD 21701.