Helen Jean Burn, 88, passed away on September 16, 2014 sleeping peacefully in her favorite chair at Atrium Village in Owings Mills, MD. She was born on January 11, 1926 in Eugene, Oregon to Mary Edna (Watson) Riggs and Claude Herbert Riggs. She raised five children with James McAllister Burn, Jr. until their divorce in the early 1970’s, when she became a hard-working single mother. She is survived by her five children, two of their spouses, and six grandchildren: In New Jersey – her daughter Angela Burn Gerken and Angie’s husband, Jay Gerken, as well as their two daughters Anne Ruth Gerken and Kristen Jean Gerken. In the Baltimore area – her children Claudia Davis Burn, James McAllister Burn III, and Robert MacGregor Burn as well as Robert’s wife Linda Faye Burn and their three children Aaron MacGregor Burn, Sonora Ponder Burn and Mackenzie Shane Burn. In Virginia she is survived by her daughter Melissa Murray Burn and Melissa’s son, Clifton Bryant Wilmer.

Helen Jean started writing short stories as a young child and grew to be an accomplished writer of both fiction and non-fiction. Besides occasionally selling stories to national magazines, she earned her first salary as a television writer working for WJZ-TV in Baltimore in the 1960s. She was a pioneer for women's rights who blazed a trail in television for others to follow. Helen Jean was one of five members on the inaugural staff of Maryland Public Television, where she was the first Head Writer and won Emmy awards for both her writing and her work as a producer. She was a great friend and mentor, radiant spirit, brilliant writer, enthralling storyteller, and deeply compassionate person who touched the lives of many. Her family and friends will miss her tremendously. Helen Jean will be interred in a private ceremony on Saturday, September 20th. Her family is planning a Celebration of Life for her and will contact friends and family members within the next several weeks to share details.