Helen Thorne Irving

Helen Thorne Irving of Athens, Georgia died on May 2, 2026, just a few months before her 70 th birthday. Helen was born to the late Virginia Baxter and Donald Thorne, and after losing her mother at a young age, Helen was raised by her aunt and uncle, the late Mary and Hugh Smith in Tifton, Georgia. After initially attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Helen received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Georgia in 1977 where she was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. She later went on to complete a Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia. Helen was married to Joe Irving from 1980 to 1998 and they raised their three children in Athens. 

While raising her children, Helen was an active member of the Junior League and volunteered her time raising money for Prevent Child Abuse Athens, serving as the event planner for their Starry Starry Night gala for multiple years. She then went on to work in fundraising as the Development Director for the Athens Community Council on Aging from 2006 to 2008. During her years in Athens, Helen also served on the boards of several nonprofits, including the American Cancer Society, the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, Town and Gown Community Theatre, Athens Academy Fine Arts Athens Area Arts Council, and the Georgia Museum of Art. After moving to Florida to live by the beach in 2010, she enjoyed a second career as a realtor, then returned to Athens to be closer to her family in 2019. 

Helen was so gregarious and open hearted, she made friends wherever she went. She was funny and sweet and colorful and eccentric. Always bursting with creative energy, she loved art, reading, gardening and cooking. She had a dedicated group of longtime friends, “Playgroup,” who had become chosen family and spent a week at the beach together every year. But she was always open to new friends and delighted in meeting new people. The only thing she loved more than people was dogs.

Helen is survived by her three children Amy White, Michael Irving, and Andrew Irving, and her six grandchildren Henry, Max, Griffin and Rosemary White, and Carter and Nico Irving, and her niece Mary Louise Callicutt, as well as her beloved black lab Bleu.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, West.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Athens-Oconee CASA (www.athensoconeecasa.org) or the Athens Area Humane Society (www.athenshumanesociety.org).