Helen Divney, 79, nursing was her calling – Coastal Observer
LOG IN

COASTAL OBSERVER

Helen Divney, 79, nursing was her calling

November 17, 2022

Helen Divney of Pawleys Island died Nov. 7 at the Lakes at Litchfield with her family by her side.  She was 79.

She was born July 5, 1943, in Passaic, N.J., the daughter of  John and Helen Fuchs Weisz. She grew up in Clifton, N.J., and graduated from Pope Pius XII High School in 1961. At school, she met her lifelong friends: Jo Mary Pescatore, Arlene Givonne, Carol O’Connor, Ellen Mitro, Judy Byrne, Janet Nichols and Diane Cioce. She would often tell stories about her friends, which her grandchildren could recite almost word for word.

Helen graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Passaic as a registered nurse in 1964. She met another lifelong friend in nursing school, Barbara Ippolitti.  After graduation, she worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in the ICU/CCU floor. Nursing was her calling. She described her days working as busy, always being different and always there to help.

She was married to the late Peter Divney. They did more together in almost 10 years of marriage than people do in a lifetime, which included traveling to Italy, Ireland, England and Hawaii among other places.

Mrs. Divney loved spending time playing cards with her friends at the Tradition clubhouse, eating out with family and friends and cooking for her family. 

She is survived by her daughter, Barbra Ackershoek (William) of Pawleys Island; her grandchildren, Amy Nicole Ackershoek, Emily Ann Ackershoek and William John Ackershoek; her schnoodle dog, Bailey; her sister, Joyce Faherty (Peter); her stepsons, John Divney, Damian (Michal), Robert Divney (Mary) and their daughter Grace Divney; her brothers-in-law, Michael Divney (Jean), Larry Divney (Alicia), John Divney (Rosie) and Frank Walits; as well as a large extended family.

In addition to her parents, her sister Mary Ann Walits died before her.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 19 at The Abbey in Pawleys Island. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston (RMHC Charleston) or All 4 Paws Animal Rescue.

Condolences may be sent at burroughsfh.com.

LOCAL EVENTS

Meetings

Georgetown County Board of Education: First and third Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Beck Education Center. For details, go to gcsd.k12.sc.us. Georgetown County Council: Second and fourth Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 129 Screven St., Georgetown. For details, go to georgetowncountysc.org. Pawleys Island Town Council: Second Mondays, 5 p.m. Town Hall, 323 Myrtle Ave. For details, go to townofpawleysisland.com.   , .

READ MORE

Churches

READ MORE