Helen R. E. (McKinney) Irvine of Bethlehem, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Born in Washington, D.C., in January 1922, she was the beloved daughter of the late Paul E. and Minnie S. (Tenschert) McKinney, with whom she is reunited at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Suitland MD.

Helen moved with her parents and brother, Frank, to Bethlehem in 1929. She graduated from Bethlehem High School (now Liberty) in 1940, where she was involved in art club and theater. She graduated from Penn State College (now University) in 1944, with a B.S. degree in home economics, where she developed deep friendships with her sisters of the Delta Gamma sorority.

Helen then fulfilled her adventurous streak by working as a stewardess for Eastern Airlines, which called on her to ease the travel of WWII military members and civilians. Helen received a letter from Eastern Airlines President Eddie Rickenbacker, who forwarded a passenger's note of appreciation for her attentive service.

Helen was employed as a teacher in the Bethlehem Area School District for 25 years, first in home economics at Nitschmann and Broughal Junior High Schools, after which her Master's in Education from Lehigh University enabled her to teach elementary grades at Buchanan and Calypso Elementary Schools. She devoted herself to raising her students' awareness of the natural world, a passion she inherited from her parents, and helped to create an environmental education curriculum for elementary grade students. She also served on a City of Bethlehem citizens' environmental advisory group.

Helen was a member of Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, where she participated in a congregational group that considered the responsibility of people of faith to care for creation. Earlier in her life, she taught Sunday School as a member of Christ United Church of Christ and served as a volunteer counselor for a crisis telephone hotline. Helen's faith was a central guiding light throughout her life.

Helen met Jack Koplin – the love of her life – later in life. They shared 20 fun-filled years in Bethlehem and Lakeland, Florida, attending square dance groups, dancing to 1940s Big Band names, and celebrating their mutual love of the outdoors. Jack supported Helen's pursuit of family genealogical research, and became a loved and cherished family member.

Helen spoke about the birth of her three children as joyous occasions, seen in her steadfast devotion over the years. She is survived by her loving family: children Arnold, Jr. (Mary Ann), David and Suzanne; grandchildren Matthew, Jessica (Dube), Eric, Brittany, and Liana; and seven great-grandchildren.

Though Helen may no longer walk among us, her spirit lives on in the memories of her kindness toward people and animals (especially her dogs Blackie and Skippy), her warm embrace, her sharp intellect, and her delight in humor, forever cherished.

A Celebration of Helen's Life was held on June 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM in Central Moravian Old Chapel, Heckewelder Place, Bethlehem, PA.

In lieu of flowers, plant a tree in Helen's memory or make a contribution to Central Moravian Church, 73 W. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, or Wildlands Conservancy, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049. Online condolences may be sent to www.pearsonfh.com.