Helen M. Cornter

Helen M. Cornter, 97, recently of Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, formerly of Mechanicsburg, died Monday, August 23, 2021 at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital.

She was born November 25, 1923, in Wila, Perry County to the late Harry Martin Rush and Clara Ernest (Potter) Rush. She was the youngest of three children, with brothers William and Richard Rush. She graduated from Newport High School where she played basketball and performed in the Thespian Club. She played the glockenspiel in the Newport Fire Company Marching band. On Sundays she played the piano and organ for the Episcopal church in town. Her appreciation for music which she passed on to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was deeply rooted in her upbringing and remained a part of her life up to her last days. She graduated from Central Penn Business School and used her degree to secure her thirty-year career with the New Cumberland Army Depot while raising seven children.

She was a life member of the United Church of Christ, a past member of Eastern Star Estrellita Chapter #512 Harrisburg and lifetime member of Bethany Shrine No. 7 Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem in Harrisburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband Frederick S. Cornter; son, Alvin “Butch” F. Cornter; and granddaughter, Brooke L. Sariano.

She is survived by her daughters, Deborah A. Cornter of Langhorne, Katharine L. Cornter-Wentz (George) of Dillsburg, Christa E. Aufiero (Peter) of New Cumberland, Robin S. Kendlehart (Paul) of Strasburg, Heidi K. Miller of Mechanicsburg, and Kim E. Cornter of Gardners; grandchildren, Jessica M. Koone of Marysville, Allison C. Elias (Evans) of Strasburg, Matthew S. Miller of Mechanicsburg, and Erin R. Adams (Joseph) of Tampa, FL; and great-grandchildren, Sebastian S. Lesny of Mason, TX, Sierra M. Lesny of West Chester, Gavin P. Elias of Strasburg, Harrison R. Elias of Strasburg, and Wells K. Adams of Tampa.

Visitation will be from 10am until memorial services at 11am Friday, September 3, 2021 at Incarnation United Church of Christ, Newport. Private interment will be in Newport Cemetery.

Helen and Fred were grassroot members of the Cumberland/Perry County National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI, PO BOX 527, Carlisle, PA 17013, https://namicppa.org/