Mrs. Helen Sabilla Breidegam

Helen Sabilla (Merkel) Breidegam, wife of the late DeLight E. Breidegam, Jr., of Fleetwood, passed away on Wednesday evening, June 23, 2021 at the age of 94.

Born in Kutztown, Helen was a daughter of the late Morris and Eva (Snyder) Merkel. She was a faithful member of Christ (Mertz) Lutheran Church, Dryville. Helen was a 1944 graduate of Kutztown Area High School and The Reading Hospital School of Nursing. Mrs. Breidegam worked as a Nurse at East Penn Manufacturing Co., Lyon Station in the early days of the company.

Helen was a very kind, compassionate, and generous person who showed great care for the health and well-being of those who worked at East Penn and for her community. She was a strong advocate for children’s health and promoted education in the healthcare industry. Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA named its Department of Nursing and Public Health, the Helen S. Breidegam School of Nursing in her honor; and Penn State Health, St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading, PA named its birthing center, The Breidegam Family Birthing Center in recognition of her family’s support. Helen also helped institute the Breidegam Family Children’s ER Fund for the Lehigh Valley Health Network in her continued support of children’s health.

Helen is survived by her son, Daniel D. Breidegam, husband of Mary J. (Reilly), Oley; and grandchildren Timothy R. Miksiewicz, Daniel D. Miksiewicz, Katelyn S. Miksiewicz, fiancé of Daulph Kline, and Matthew J. Miksiewicz; Mortimer L., husband of Sara (Brasted) Smedley and Gemma T. Smedley; and great-grandchildren Anna, Reilly, and Logan.

In addition to her husband DeLight and her parents, Helen was predeceased by her daughter, Sally Sabilla Breidegam Miksiewicz on June 20, 2014; son, Timothy M. Breidegam on January 25, 1978; sisters, Mae and Anna, and brothers, John and Raymond.

A funeral service to celebrate and honor Helen will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 12:00 noon in Christ (Mertz) Lutheran Church, 16 Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood (Dryville), with The Reverend Martin A. Milne and The Reverend Cheryl F. Meinschein officiating. There will be a public visitation from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in the church. Burial will be held privately in Hope Cemetery, Dryville.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made in Helen's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org OR Christ (Mertz) Lutheran Church, 16 Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood, PA 19522.

Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, PA is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.