Helen H. Hoagland

Helen H. Hoagland, age 91, of Newark, DE, formerly of New Castle, DE, passed away August 26, 2021. 

Helen was born on November 27, 1929 in Hanover, PA, the daughter of Robert and Beulah Baker Heltebridle.  She graduated in 1947 from Eichelberger High School in Hanover, PA and on November 1, 1947, Helen married her high school sweetheart, William Frock.  She worked in the Richman’s Ladies Shop while in high school and after graduating eventually became the owner.  After her marriage ended in 1964, she sold the shop to attend Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA and graduated with a B.S. Degree in English Ed in 1969.  Helen was recruited by the Colonial School District in New Castle, DE to teach English/History at George Read Middle School eventually moving on the teach at William Penn High school until she retired in 1991.  She then mentored students in reading at the Wilmington Manor Elementary School for 15 years.

Helen met Harold Hoagland, Jr. in 1969 after settling into her New Castle apartment next to his.  They married on December 23, 1970.  She became his typist for the William Penn Sports Stories that Harold wrote for the New Castle Gazette. They enjoyed many adventures and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, visited 5 continents and many countries during their 42 years of marriage.  They were longtime residents of Penn Acres with their cat, Tiger and Helen moved to Millcroft Nursing Home in 2014 shortly after Harold’s death. 

Helen was a longtime member of New Castle United Methodist Church and during her tenure as the church historian, she compiled a history of the church and was instrumental in applying for the Historical Marker placed on the church building by the State of Delaware.

Helen was member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Episilon Chapter, NEA–Retired and DSEA-Retired.  She was an avid reader and longtime member of several book clubs.  She was so thankful for the William Penn retired teachers book club for their continued friendship helping her to stay active as they often held their monthly luncheon-book discussion at her Millcroft  residence, especially Taffy.

Helen was predeceased by her parents, husband, brother and sister-in-law, Burnell and Florence Heltebridle, sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Robert Kopp.  She is survived by her sister-in-law, Frances Louise Garbo of CA.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews in Delaware and Pennslvania.  They have fond memories of her homemade pies enjoyed at New Castle family gatherings and the gifts she sewed or quilted.  They also enjoyed talking and learning more about their family history when they visited from Pennsylvania.

Special thanks to niece Carolyn who provided invaluable assistance through many years, Helen’s church family, Delaware Hospice and numerous friends and staff at Millcroft Nursing Home.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11am, Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Glebe Cemetery of Immanuel Episcopal Church, 350 Glebe Road, New Castle, DE 19720.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Castle United Methodist Church; Elizabethtown College; or William Penn High School Alumni Scholarship Program in New Castle, DE.

To offer condolences, please visit:

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302.328.2312

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