Helen Anna Ferrell, a retired real estate agent, died of lung cancer Dec. 20 at the Cockeysville home of her daughter. She was 80.
Helen Anna Ena was born in Baltimore and spent her childhood in Highlandtown with her seven siblings. She graduated from the Catholic High School of Baltimore in 1947 and married Frank J. Ferrell in 1950. The couple, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in October, raised three children in Lutherville.
Mrs. Ferrell obtained her real estate license in 1975, and specialized in residential real estate. Before her retirement in 1998, she worked for Coldwell Banker Grempler Realty Inc. in Towson.
In retirement, Mrs. Ferrell and her husband moved to Ocean City, where they lived for 12 years in their vacation home. During her time in Ocean City, Mrs. Ferrell developed long-lasting relationships with many merchants and friends throughout the town, her family said.
She enjoyed being able to maintain her connections to her high school, by attending monthly luncheons held by the Catholic High School Alumni Association in the Ocean City area.
Mrs. Ferrell loved to travel, her family said, and most recently embarked on a family trip to Italy, where she met several family members for the first time and visited the birthplace of her mother.
She loved Italian music and especially the voice of Al Martino. She enjoyed attending his concerts and did so whenever he came to the Baltimore area. Her favorite song was his version of "Spanish Eyes."
A funeral service was held Dec. 23 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cockeysville.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Diane Lynn Marsiglia of Phoenix, Baltimore County, and Debbie Ann Smith of Cockeysville; a son, Frank Edward Ferrell of Ocean City; two sisters, Lucy Weidle of Towson and Toni Ney of Ocean Pines; a brother, John Ena Sr. of Pasadena; and three grandchildren.
