Helen Dessent

Helen Dessent (Trandes), 85, passed away on Friday, March 16, following a valiant fight against a rare and aggressive cancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Athan and Elizabeth Trandes, both immigrants from Greece.

Helen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bob; children, Susan Feight of Essex, MD, Bill Dessent (Debbie) of Louisa County, VA, Steven Dessent of Westminster, MD; sister, Demi Psoras (Dennis) of Timonium, MD. She had six grandchildren, Shannon Manner (Mark), Elizabeth Feight, Alison Welch (Corey), Robert Dessent, Katherine Dessent and Lauren Dessent; four great grandchildren, Edison and Luella Manner, Tristan and Margo Welch.

Helen was born in Hartford, Connecticut, graduated from Western High School in Baltimore, MD and earned a bachelor's degree in bacteriology from University of Maryland.

Helen loved growing flowers of all kind, keeping orchids inside and a beautiful backyard garden outside. She was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed participating in the Feeder Watch bird counts for Cornell University. She loved traveling and visited many countries around the world. Helen collected art glass objects of all variety. In prior years, she enjoyed tennis and had dabbled in pottery making, stained glass art work, and producing unique fiber art wall hangings.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2018 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (on the Historic Tallmadge Circle) with a Trisagion Service a 7:00 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 23, 2018 at the funeral home with Fr. Jerry Hall officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Merkel Cell Cancer Research Organization at "University of Washington MCC Research" (https://www.merkelcell.org/join-the-fight/donate/) at Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, University of Washington, Dermatology, 850 Republican St., Brotman Building – Room 242, Box 358050, Seattle, WA 98109.

Merkel Cell Cancer Research Organization
850 Republican St., Brotman Building - Room 242, PO BOX 358050, Seattle WA 98109
Web: https://www.merkelcell.org/join0the-fight/donate/