August 17, 1934 – September 2, 2023

Born in Oneco, FL on August 17th, 1934, Helen Daniels made her debut and departed on Sept 2nd, 2023 in Naples, FL. She attended school in Ft. Myers where she became a majorette with the marching band and graduated in 1952 “Go Greenies”. Like many young ladies in her day, she married young and soon after, birthed three beautiful babies Rebecca Ann, Joseph, and Daniel. When times were tough, so was Helen. Having been born at the end of the worst recession America has known, and having witnessed one of the worlds most atrocious wars, in a still struggling economy, the newly divorced young mother strove to provide for her family in the small town of Palatka, FL. She was so small in stature and slight in weight that the factory job she had been told was available wouldn’t accept her as she was too slight. In her recounting, she waited them out for a week, told them she could gain the weight and returned with jeans under her skirt, lead weights in her pockets, to ensure her employment, which she attained. Food was on her table once again, because of her tenacity.

Upon her return to Naples, she met Capt William Warren “Bud” Daniels and after a short courtship, he asked her to marry him and she did. It was no longer just she and “the babes” as she lovingly referred to them, but a newly formed family. Capt Bud adopted her three “babes” and away they went on a lifetime of adventure on the high seas. True to his name Capt Bud captained boats that would take the family to the Tortugas, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas and beyond.

Ms. Helen’s smiling face could often be seen at the Naples Yacht Club where she was employed for most of her later working years, before retiring to travel with her true love. Together they built a summer home in North Carolina where they spent many summers, as well as cruised the Caribbean and she checked off Alaska as a place visited.

After Capt. Bud’s death in 2001, Helen dedicated herself to her voluntary church work, her church family and her own family and friends. And in the ways of old, making sure that people who needed it were visited, had a ride to church, or were fed. She enjoyed making guava, sea grape jelly, and key lime pies with her daughter Becki, swamp buggy riding with her boys, Joey and Danny, and boating with all of them. She crocheted baby blankets to welcome the new and celebrated the old, making sure to attend funerals of those who passed. She was always faithfully about her duty to others and her heavenly father’s business.

Ms. Helen now joins Capt. Bud, once again, forever together at last. She is survived by her three children Rebecca Ann (Becki) Daniels, Joseph (Joey) Daniels, Daniel (Danny) Daniels (wife Amy), and his two children Dalton and Claire Daniels.

In the ever-lasting words of Ms. Helen, “Don’t forget to shine.”

On September 23rd, 2023 the Visitation will be from 11am – 12pm with a Memorial Service beginning at Noon at the East Naples Baptist Church, 1697 Shadowlawn Drive, Naples, Florida 34112. Following the service, friends & family are invited to a gathering at Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to East Naples Baptist Church or Avow Hospice of Naples.