Patricia Bernice Gibson Helt, age 94, of West Cape May, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on May 3rd at AtlantiCare Mainland Hospital.  Born September 23, 1931 in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Patricia was the daughter of Patricia Kulick Gibson and Frank Gibson.  She attended Lock Haven Catholic High School, followed by the University of Miami and Lock Haven State College focusing on German language and education.

Patricia was an outstanding athlete in many fields.  She held championships in tennis, golf, skiing, and canoeing.  In 1987 she was inducted into the Pennsylvania sports hall of fame for her athletic accomplishments.  Her favorite sport was skiing; she and her husband Delbert (Junie) Helt traveled for a month every winter for many years to Kitzbuhel Austria to ski.  They became well known in Kitzbuhel and were eventually awarded the key to the city.  Gardening, chess and entertaining were also some of her favorite activities.

She and Junie left Lock Haven in 1982 to live in Cape Coral, Florida.  While there, she played tennis and made many friends.  She and her sister-in-law, Mary Gibson, held the USTA South Florida women’s doubles top position for many years.  During that time, they would summer in Cape May, eventually moving to Cape May year around in 2006.  She established herself as a formidable opponent at the Cape May Tennis Club, where, once again, the sport of tennis brought her new friends and wonderful times.

Patricia was proceeded in death by her husband, Delbert; her son Frank; brother, Kennard Gibson and his wife Mary; and step granddaughter, Marie Harris.  She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Kline and husband Wesley; son Delbert (Tag) Helt III and wife Kathy; and daughter-in-law Susan Helt.  Her grandchildren Zammany Kline, Ian Helt and Nicole, Bryce McKinley; step grandchildren Janelle, Tyler and Bethany Brown and Marline Gladden.  She has one great grandson Nicholas Helt and five step great grandchildren, Aurianna and Christiana Gladden, Cameron Litz, Caylyn and Wyatt Harris; niece Grace Scov and nephew Kennard Gibson.

Patricia will be remembered for her love for her family and friends, her kindness, her spirit, her wisdom, and the love for a good battle- be it at the card table, on the courts, links, or in discussion.  Her wisdom and love of life were gifts to everyone who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Cape May Tennis Club Scholarship Fund, where Patricia nurtured many in the sport.

Friends and family are invited to Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Road, North Cape May, New Jersey on Wednesday, May 6th from 3:00 until 4:00PM to pay their respects and Saturday, May 9th from 10:00-11:00AM followed by Funeral Services at 11:00AM at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ 1175 West Fourth Street Lock Haven, Pennsylvania 17745.  Pastor David Miller will be officiating.  Interment will be held on the grounds of the Highlands Cemetery in Lock Haven.