Helen Cushman Irving

She is survived by two sons, David C. Irving and his wife Karen of Lemon Grove, CA, and Jeffrey Cushman Irving and his wife Barbara of Virginia Beach; five grandchildren, Karl, Kevin, Tim, Laurie Gardner, and Myke; seven great-grandchildren, Joshua, Philip, Shane, Amy Mechelle, Marrissa and Emilea; a great granddaughter Jessica Irving and several cousins, nieces and nephews. In 1937 she married her high school sweetheart, Ronald, a Naval Academy graduate Class of 1935. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 1966 with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education and upon Capt. Irving’s retirement both taught in the Virginia Beach school system for several years. He preceded her in death in 1997 and was given a military burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

She was a member of her hometown Methodist Church in Plymouth, NY, Mayflower Descendants of America, Virginia Mayflower Society, Delta Sigma Lambda Alumnae of Old Dominion University and Cape Henry Audubon Society. She was an avid bird watcher, handicapped by hearing loss but especially fond of the Blue Ridge areas.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, Oct. 30, 1:00 p.m. at Westminster Canterbury, conducted by her eldest grandson, Rev. Timothy C. Irving, Tabernacle Baptist Church in South Hill, VA.

Interment will be with her husband in Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, her wished were for donations to be made to the Boy Scouts of America or Delta Sigma Lambda Alumnae Scholarship Fund, ODU. You may offer condolences to the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com