Helen Powell Marsellas
March 12, 1920 – January 9, 2024
Helen Powell Marsellas, age 103, of Lusby, MD, passed away peacefully on January 9th, 2024. She was born and raised on the family dairy farm in Sudlersville, MD to the late Franklin Luther Powell, Sr. and Sarah “Sadie” Williams Powell. Hard work was instilled in her at an early age. After graduating Sudlersville High School, she immediately entered nurses’ training at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Helen graduated with a Registered Nurse (RN) degree on May 20, 1941. In 1941, she married Herbert Marsellas of Owings, MD and they resided in Owings for many years.
Helen Marsellas was a dedicated pioneer in the Health Care profession in Calvert County. She immediately went to work at the first Calvert County Hospital in Prince Frederick as an RN. When the new Calvert County Hospital was built on Rt. 4, she was instrumental in all aspects of health care as it was introduced in Calvert County. She worked in many capacities; RN duties, laboratory technician, x-ray technician, as well as assisting with the first blood mobile to come to Calvert County. If you were born in Calvert County between the years 1943 thru 1968, she either assisted in your delivery or performed it herself. Helen Marsellas was a dedicated inspiration to many young girls to enter the nursing profession. She established mentor programs for young girls to observe and learn the duties of a health care nurse. Many of these girls continued in life to become nurses or work jobs in the health care profession.
Helen Marsellas was an extraordinary woman in her career. In 1968, she became the Administrator at Calvert House Nursing Home in Prince Frederick and later worked as the Administrator for the new owners Solomons Nursing Home until her retirement in 1991.
Her favorite hobbies were her flower gardens, especially azaleas, and going antiquing.
Helen Marsellas is survived by her devoted daughter, Constance Elaine Clark, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert Marsellas, son-in-law John Lawrence Clark, Jr., and two grandsons, John Lawrence Clark, III and Robert Michael Clark. Helen was predeceased by her twin sister Hildred Griffeth, four other sisters, and two brothers.
In lieu of flowers, please consider to make a donation in her honor to your charity of choice.
Visitation
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Services
- Funeral Service
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
11:00 AM
Interment
- Burial
Contributions
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Condolences
Sort Comments
12 Jan 2024
3:57pm
Connie & family, Sorry for your loss I remember your mother well. She & my Aunt Dorothy Smith Sherbert went to nursing school together, I remember her working at the hospital & the nursing home where my grandmother Sears passed away she was there. Connie would bring her to St. Leonard VFD to play bingo. She was a tough lady but loved her work & always knew your name. May she rest in peace, Connie you where a wonderful daughter, care taker. I am sure there are lots of wonderful memories. May God be with your family now & always. God Bless.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
12 Jan 2024
7:10pm
My sister was one of those who entered the nursing profession due to Mrs, Marsellas’ influence and example. Mrs. Marsellas was certainly a respected person in the Calvert County medical community. May she rest in heavenly peace.
City
Lusby
State
Maryland
13 Jan 2024
3:29pm
Rest in peace, thank you for everything you taught me & allowing me to bring my son to work. He has so many good memories and has always been respectful to the elderly. Connie my sincerest condolences to you.
City
Chesapeake beach
State
MD
14 Jan 2024
6:21pm
Forgive me if I am out of context. Helen and my dad Robert Cronshaw were both born in Sudlersville in 1920..sorry for the bad timing…
City
Chesapeake Beach
State
Md
15 Jan 2024
7:20pm
Connie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I enjoyed working with your mom (Granny). She was a wonderful person and a very hard worker. She enjoyed being a nurse taking care of everyone. We enjoyed the good times at the Calvert House Nursing Home and she loved her beloved pet Teddy.
City
Port Republic
State
Maryland
16 Jan 2024
7:55pm
CONNIE, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOUR MOTHER WAS A SPECIAL LADY. SHE ALWAYS HAD TIME TO TALK AND RESPECTED EVERYONE.
City
Huntingtown
State
Maryland
17 Jan 2024
12:12pm
Mrs. Marsellas was such a remarkable lady. I remember her well and how other ladies who also worked at the hospital loved her. Many prayers for her family.
City
Fredericksburg
State
VA
17 Jan 2024
8:51pm
My deepest love and prayers go out to her family, loved ones and many, many friends. I was a nurse’s aide in the the old hospital and remember she was always zipping up and down the halls from room to room checking on patients. A lot of times she would just pitch in to help us. Good memories and much thanks from so many who had the privelege of learning and working with her.
City
HUNTINGTOWN
State
MD
18 Jan 2024
7:44am
Helen Powell Marsellas RN, we recognize you and pay homage to your dedication to the profession of nursing. We extend our deepest sympathies to your family, friends and colleagues.
Respectfully,
The Maryland Nurse Honor Guard
City
Burtonsville
State
Maryland
2 Mar 2024
10:26am
Mrs. Marsellas had a great reputation as a nurse. Anyone who grew up in Calvert County was familiar with her or at least her name. My grandmother had been a resident in Calvert House and my mother and family felt very comfortable knowing Mrs. Marsellas was in charge. God bless her for her undying service for so many years. Rest in peace. Connie, my prayers and sympathy are with you.
City
Ridgeley
State
WV
Sort Comments
Connie & family, Sorry for your loss I remember your mother well. She & my Aunt Dorothy Smith Sherbert went to nursing school together, I remember her working at the hospital & the nursing home where my grandmother Sears passed away she was there. Connie would bring her to St. Leonard VFD to play bingo. She was a tough lady but loved her work & always knew your name. May she rest in peace, Connie you where a wonderful daughter, care taker. I am sure there are lots of wonderful memories. May God be with your family now & always. God Bless.
My sister was one of those who entered the nursing profession due to Mrs, Marsellas’ influence and example. Mrs. Marsellas was certainly a respected person in the Calvert County medical community. May she rest in heavenly peace.
Rest in peace, thank you for everything you taught me & allowing me to bring my son to work. He has so many good memories and has always been respectful to the elderly. Connie my sincerest condolences to you.
Forgive me if I am out of context. Helen and my dad Robert Cronshaw were both born in Sudlersville in 1920..sorry for the bad timing…
Connie, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I enjoyed working with your mom (Granny). She was a wonderful person and a very hard worker. She enjoyed being a nurse taking care of everyone. We enjoyed the good times at the Calvert House Nursing Home and she loved her beloved pet Teddy.
CONNIE, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. YOUR MOTHER WAS A SPECIAL LADY. SHE ALWAYS HAD TIME TO TALK AND RESPECTED EVERYONE.
Mrs. Marsellas was such a remarkable lady. I remember her well and how other ladies who also worked at the hospital loved her. Many prayers for her family.
My deepest love and prayers go out to her family, loved ones and many, many friends. I was a nurse’s aide in the the old hospital and remember she was always zipping up and down the halls from room to room checking on patients. A lot of times she would just pitch in to help us. Good memories and much thanks from so many who had the privelege of learning and working with her.
Helen Powell Marsellas RN, we recognize you and pay homage to your dedication to the profession of nursing. We extend our deepest sympathies to your family, friends and colleagues.
Respectfully,
The Maryland Nurse Honor Guard
Mrs. Marsellas had a great reputation as a nurse. Anyone who grew up in Calvert County was familiar with her or at least her name. My grandmother had been a resident in Calvert House and my mother and family felt very comfortable knowing Mrs. Marsellas was in charge. God bless her for her undying service for so many years. Rest in peace. Connie, my prayers and sympathy are with you.