Helen C. Isensee, 78, of Carlisle, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2015 in the Chapel Pointe Health Center, Carlisle.  She was born on January 1, 1937 in Kansas City, MO, and was a daughter of the late Frank L. and Gladys E. (Turner) Calkins.  She was the widow of Allan Isensee, who died in 2001 and Bernard Nowotarski who died in 1974.

Helen graduated in 1954 from Washington – Lee High School in Arlington, VA, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ohio University in Athens, OH and a Master’s degree in Library Science from University of Maryland.  In the 1960’s she was a computer programmer for the U.S. Census Bureau.  Helen retired as a Research Librarian from the Veterans Administration and was formerly employed by the State of Maryland Public Libraries.

Helen was an avid gardener throughout her lifetime.  She was a Master Gardener for the Howard County Agricultural Extension Service and taught local landscaping classes.  She enjoyed travel, often combining it with genealogical research, another of her hobbies.  After retiring, Helen traveled to Wales and to China. She loved musicals (especially Gilbert and Sullivan), reading, jigsaw puzzles and surfing the web. In the last few years of her life, she enjoyed seeing her children and grandchildren.  Helen enjoyed attending services at the Henry Chapel at Chapel Pointe.

She is survived by her children; Sharon Nowotarski Spears (partner, Debbie Newman) of Mechanicsburg, Adam A. (wife, Melissa) Nowotarski of Indianapolis, IN and six grandchildren; Benjamin, Mitchell, Madeleine and Samuel Spears and Jonah and Lydia Nowotarski and several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by one brother, Robert E. Calkins, and one sister, Doris A. Sezen.

A memorial service will be held on November 28 at 11:30 am in the Henry Chapel at Chapel Pointe, 770 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, with Rev. Walter Frankenberry officiating.  A visitation will be held one hour before the service.  Memorial donations (tribute gifts) in Helen’s name may be made at www.psp.org.   Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, Carlisle, is in charge of the arrangements.