Ms. Mary Helen Baum

January 15, 1950 - December 1, 2020

Mary Helen Baum, 70, of Columbia, died Tuesday, December 1, 2020. Born in Nashville, TN, on January 15, 1950, she was the only child of the late George Armistice and Vivian Vinida Eason Baum. Mary Helen graduated high school from Glynn Academy in Brunswick, GA and later earned her master’s in nursing from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. She spent her working career in healthcare as a nurse specializing in psychiatric mental health. Mary Helen was a member of the Tree of Life Synagogue family, where she was a choir member. Her Jewish faith provided a source of comfort and strength throughout her life. All who met her knew her as a dynamo and ball of energy who was always up for an adventure. One of the greatest of these was the realization of Mary Helen’s lifelong dream to fly a plane through Amara Place’s, “Living A Dream Program” in 2018! In coordination with a local pilot, Mary Helen helped navigate the plane over Lake Murray and reveled in the chance to expand her adventures to the sky. Her spunk and zest for life was uncontainable and she wanted the same for all she encountered. She shared her love of singing freely and her humming could often be heard down the halls. Mary Helen's favorite vacation area was Brunswick Georgia and the adjacent beautiful St. Simons and Jekyll Islands. She also loved trips to vacation in Savannah Georgia. Mary Helen will be deeply missed for her positivity, her immense loyalty, and her love of all living creatures, especially her pups, Cindy, Myrna Louise, and Katie. Though she was small in stature, she was big in heart, and those who knew Mary Helen will not forget her. She is survived by a host of extended family members and friends. Mary Helen was fond of her dachshunds and considered them her family. The graveside service for Mary Helen will be held 1 o’clock, Thursday, December 3rd, at Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery, 720 Blanding Street, Columbia, with Rabbi Sabine Meyer officiating. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to the Tree of Life Congregation, 6719 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206