Helen Christina DeHaven

Helen Christina DeHaven, affectionately known as "Chris" to all who knew and loved her, passed away on December 15, 2024, in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was 82. Devoted to her beloved family, Chris leaves behind a legacy defined by love, generosity, and unwavering faith.

Born on November 1, 1942, in Cumberland, Maryland, Chris was the daughter of Clarence Earl and Mamie Martin Hook. A 1960 graduate of Allegany High School, she began her professional journey as a secretary at Allegany Instrument Company. It was there that she met the love of her life, Harry Gene DeHaven. The two were married on September 29, 1962. Together, Chris and Gene built a life rooted in devotion—to each other, their family, and their community.

In 1969, they founded Arts-N-Letters, a local business that outfitted countless athletes and supported a wide array of community organizations with custom trophies, jackets, t-shirts, and more. Chris’s skills as a bookkeeper contributed to the company’s success, and she took pride in the positive impact they made on Cumberland and beyond.

An avid bowler in her early years, Chris competed in the W.I.B.C. National Doubles Tournament, where she and her partner earned an impressive seventh-place finish out of more than 20,000 participants nationwide.

Drawn to warm weather and sunshine, Chris and Gene relocated to Lake Okeechobee, Florida, in 2003 and later settled in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 2022.

Those who knew Chris will never forget her vibrant spirit, talent for joke-telling, and giving heart. Her homemade meals and signature sweet treats, always made with love, brought joy to many. Faith, humor, and her love for friends and family were the foundation of her life.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Harry Gene DeHaven of Wilmington, NC; her beloved son, Michael DeHaven (wife, Tamara) and grandsons, Alexander and Andrew, of Phoenix, MD; her dear brothers, Bill Hook and George Hook (wife, Margie) of Cumberland; as well as 19 nieces and nephews who will forever cherish her energizing spirit, generosity, and love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Mamie Hook, and siblings Betty McCoy, Jeanne Boor, Clarence Hook, Robert Hook, and Patricia Dick.

Chris will be remembered as a faithful servant of the Lord, a radiant presence in the lives of those who knew her, leaving a lasting imprint on all she touched. Her favorite quote captures her spirit beautifully:

“I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small, but it was for God's loving care I prayed most of all.”

No services have been scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Chris’s memory by sharing a laugh, savoring a sweet treat, or spreading a bit of kindness in her name.

She will be deeply missed—and forever loved.