APCO Life Member Helen Rushing of the Mid-Eastern Chapter has passed away. She served APCO in numerous capacities including as chapter officer, regional participant, national membership coordinator, frequency coordinator and on many committees. She has often been referred to as Ms. APCO.
Helen Rushing joined the Mid-Eastern Chapter in 1957. She served actively as the chapter’s Historian until her untimely passing. It is noted history is about where you have been, what you are doing, where you are going and what benchmark have you left. That was Helen’s driving factor with not only the chapter, but the APCO Association. She served honorably almost in every chapter position and was the first female Mid-Eastern chapter President.
Through her 63 years of service, Helen mentored numerous Past Presidents. Helen knew the Policy Manual verbatim and kept current on changes. I always referred to Helen as the chapters Parliamentarian. She so looked forward to the chapter’s quarterly meetings and gatherings. In particular, the annual summer crab feast. Food and fellowship were always at its best. Helen was very outgoing and made numerous friends over her years of public service. One in particularly Linda (Lin) Ford, bonded friendship for over 50 years. They were side by side through chapter, regional and national work on various projects and committees.
Helen was so noted for her frequency coordination work. In which she was involved in several projects over the years which noted chapter distinction. She was known as the “go to lady” when a job needed to be done. She served numerous times on keeping the chapters Constitution & Bylaws revised and up to date. For a period, Helen worked at APCO Headquarters in Membership and earned the respect and praise of every person she connected with.
Helen Rushing will be sorely missed by not only the Mid-Eastern chapter, but the entire APCO organization. Service arrangements will be forth coming.
