Mary Helen Zook Franz

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Helen Zook Franz, age 87, on April 20, 2025, at Duke Hock Family Pavilion.

Mary Helen was born on April 16, 1938, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, to Mary Drost and John Zook, and grew up in North Arlington, NJ. A career high school teacher (1960-1993) of business studies and accounting at Lyndhurst High School in Lyndhurst NJ, she earned her BA at Montclair State College and her Masters in Education at Rutgers University. Mary Helen fell in love and married later in life, when she met Donald “Don” Franz, a US Air Force and Vietnam veteran. They enjoyed traveling the U.S. together, and lived in Woodside Park, NJ, until after his passing. In 2020, Mary Helen relocated to Mebane, NC, to be near family.

Throughout her life, Mary Helen touched the lives of many others with her love of Jesus Christ and her dedication to teaching. She served as a deacon in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in North Arlington, NJ, and was a lifetime member of National Education Association.

For many years, Mary Helen was an avid crafter, working with needle point, crocheting, and making psanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs). Once she discovered her passion for technology, she dove into photography, photo editing, and keeping up with all the latest tech gadgets and devices. Mary Helen was a big fan of QVC, and loved shopping for the latest fashions, especially accessories. Later in life she spent many happy hours watching her favorite TV shows, The Bold and The Beautiful, Shark Tank, and always got a big laugh out of Mike & Molly and Judge Judy.

Mary Helen is survived by her nieces Michele Kennedy and Susan (Joe) Costa, nephew John (LeeAnna) Kennedy, brother in-law John (Elizabeth) Kennedy, and nephews James (Melissa), Kevin, Shaun (Jamie), Duane, and nine great-nieces and great-nephews. The eldest of her siblings, Mary Helen was preceded in death by her sisters Gloria, Barbara, and Joyce, and brother John, as well as by her husband, Don. A lifetime animal lover, Mary Helen also leaves her dear cat, Miracle, in the trusting care of her family.

A local celebration of Mary Helen’s life will be held at a later date to be announced. A graveside service will be held at a future date in Virginia.

Acknowledgments: The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Griswold Home Care, UNC Healthcare, Duke University Hospital, Hillcrest Convalescent Center, Duke Hock Family Pavilion, and neighbors in her community of The Village at Lake Michael, for their support and compassionate care during Mary Helen's final years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary Helen’s memory to Heaven and Earth Animal Rescue Team (HEART) in Cary, NC; Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue in Middlesex, NC; Orange County Animal Services in Chapel Hill, NC; and Cumberland County Animal Services in Fayetteville, NC.