Helen Janette Bracken Philyaw, 63, of Lexington Park, MD passed away peacefully at her home on January 21, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Born September 16, 1954 in North Kingstown, RI to the late Harold Joseph Bracken and Doris Ann Kautz Bracken.

On October 30, 1981, Helen married her beloved husband, Jackie Lee Philyaw. Together they celebrated over 36 wonderful years of marriage. She was an avid traveler, visiting, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North and South Carolina; with her favorite destination being Maggie Valley, NC. She particularly loved spending time in the mountains and on the beaches. She spent over 20 years living on the Bay.

She enjoyed the great outdoors, including flower gardening and raising miniature horses and donkeys. She collected many beautiful gemstones. Her greatest love was spending time with her family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and will forever be held in the hearts of all the lives she touched.

In addition to her beloved husband, she is also survived by her children: Joseph I. Bracken (Kelly Cooke) of St. Inigoes, MD, Amanda L. Brown (William) of Port Republic, MD, and Angela L. Baird of Bunker Hill, WV; her sisters, Doris F. Shorback of Lexington Park, MD and Patricia A. Biscoe (John) of Leonardtown, MD; her grandchildren: Billy Brown, Jake Brown, Joseph H. Bracken, Samantha Bracken, Abby Baird, Jacob Baird, and Caitlin Baird; and many extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents. All services are private. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.