Helen Wootten Regan, 88, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Helen was born October 3, 1935, in Brunswick County, VA, and later in life moved to Williamsburg, VA, after living in Poquoson for 35 years. 

Family and friends remember Helen as their guiding light and mentor.   She was a pillar to her husband, children, and coworkers. She was always guiding the way in a subtle manner with great affect. She didn’t have to say anything because, with one look over her glasses, she could stop you in your tracks. A gracious hostess and an amazing cook.  Helen had impeccable taste with an emphasis on quality. Even in her cooking, she was growing and evolving throughout her life, trying new things, experimenting, and adapting. For example, she was constantly working on perfecting recipes, whether mouthwatering crabcakes or melt-in-your-mouth pound cake.  

One phrase that describes Helen well, true in 1953 and throughout her life, is found in her High School yearbook photo caption, “A slow gait, but a quick smile,” which she often quoted. 

Helen graduated from Lawrenceville High School in Lawrenceville, VA, and Smithdeal-Massey Business College, in Richmond, VA, fulfilling her father’s wishes that she graduate before she married.  Helen picked up her working career when her children were young as an Avon and Sarah Coventry representative. As the kids got older, she went to work at Roundtree Furniture in downtown Richmond, VA, as an office manager. After the family moved to Poquoson in the early 70s, Helen accepted a position with Citizens Bank of Poquoson, then First Virginia Bank, and eventually elevated to an executive position at 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, where she retired in 2000.

Helen was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Linwood Bradford Regan, and parents John Edward Wootten and Callie Sullivan Wootten. She is survived by her children, Linwood Keith Regan (Karen), Bradford Scott Regan, and Deanna Regan Jenkins (Danny); grandchildren, Brian Seth Regan (Kaylor), Eric Daniel Jenkins (Erin), Katelyn Renee Jenkins, and Dylan Scott Jenkins (Karyn); and great-grandson Issac Townes Linwood Regan; brothers Floyd Edward Wootten (Betty) and James Marshall Wootten(Terry). 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Brain Foundation https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/.

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 3, at 11:00 a.m., at Peninsula Funeral Home, with a funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be in Peninsula Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601