DOBSON, Helen Irving, 92, of Wheeling, W.Va., died Thursday, March 1, 2012, in the Good Shepherd Nursing Home.
She was born January 25, 1920, in Vladivostok, Russia, the second child of the late Walter and Elena Irving, who served as Consulate of the British Embassy.
Helen was educated in Harbin and Shanghai, China, in special education, training in languages and ballet. Helen was then evacuated from Shanghai to Hong Kong, China, during warring conflicts, and subsequently was evacuated at age 20 with all British women and children to Sydney, Australia, when Hong Kong fell to Japan.
Helen was employed by the U.S. Army during WWII in Sydney and Brisbane, Australia, as a "Language Translator" in four languages, Russian, Polish, French and English.
She was married to Hubert (Dobby) Dobson, a WWII Army Officer, then serving in Australia, on April 15, 1944. After the war in 1945, Helen joined Dobby in the U.S. where she became a U.S. Citizen in January 1949 while living in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The family moved frequently during Dobby's 35-year employment with FMC Corporation residing in Illinois, Arkansas, Indiana, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and London, England. She was always active in various community affairs and while she a resident in England, she represented the U.S. Girl Scouts in London and attended European conferences and programs.
Helen was a 55-year member of Beta Sigma Phi, and held the Master degree. She also served as President of various Chapters, and the BSP City Council. She was also a 20-year member of Toastmasters International, serving as Chapter President and Division Governor in West Virginia.
She was a devoted and life long member and Deacon of the Presbyterian Church.
In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert "Dobby" Dobson, in January of this year; a son, Gerry Michael Dobson in 1949; and a brother, Frederick Irving.
Surviving are four children, Sherry Roeser, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Barry Dobson and his wife, Cindy, of Charleston, W.Va., Mary Bosley and her husband, Gary, of Wheeling, and Debbie Roberts and her husband, Larry, of Cypress, Texas; 24 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her extended family of caregivers at Good Shepherd Nursing Home.
Friends will be received on Monday, March 5 from 3-7 p.m., at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 154 Kruger St., Elm Grove, where services will be held on Tuesday at 1 p.m. with Fr. Jon Beckley, SM, officiating.
Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Nursing Home, 159 Edgington Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003.
Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.altmeyer.com.
