Helen Rosa Clough

Helen Rosa Clough, age 93, died peacefully on December 28, 2019 at her residence in New Castle, Delaware. She died holding her daughter’s hand, after many wonderful visits during the Christmas holiday from her loving family.

Helen was born on August 2,1926 in San Juan, Puerto Rico to parents Antonio and Manuela Rivera. She graduated from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. In 1949, she married Robert Clough, the love of her life, who preceded her in death in June 2010. 

Helen taught special education students for many years at Lore, Shortlidge, and Stubbs Elementary Schools in the Wilmington Public School system. She retired in 1991.   Strong, resilient, determined, kind, and (occasionally) stubborn, Helen touched many lives with her smile and mischievous humor. She had a gift for avoiding stress, and for alleviating stress in others. She enjoyed collecting dolls and pets; at one point she cared for 8 dogs, a duck, a guinea pig, birds, fish and her affectionate turtle, Speedy. She loved the Phillies, the beach, painting, making people laugh, and the music of Harry Belafonte and Johnny Mathis. 

Helen is survived by her daughter, Linda Bledsoe (Tom) of Glasgow, DE; son, Bruce Clough (Candace) of Hightstown, NJ; four granddaughters, Jeni Rolison (Kelly), Alisha Carpenter (Ronnie), Becky Rappoccio (Tim), Elizabeth Clough; her six great-grandchildren, Noah, Sadie, Katie, Sammie, Logan and Scarlett; and her brother, Antonio Rivera and his wife, Colly. In addition, she is survived by a number of beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A Memorial Service will take place on Monday, January 27 at Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulaski Hwy, Newark, DE 19702.  All are welcome to visitation from 10:30-11:30am with a Celebration of Helen's Life to follow at 11:30am.  She will be interred at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, Bear, DE at 1pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Faithful Friends, a No Kill animal shelter located at 12 Germay Dr., Wilmington, DE 19804.

To offer condolences, please visit:

beesonfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Rosa Clough, please visit our floral store.