Helen Casselman Galbraith

Helen Casselman Galbraith, born in 1940 in Philadelphia, passed peacefully on Wednesday, November 19th in Beaufort, South Carolina with her daughter, Kathleen, and son, Patrick by her side. She left this world immediately after receiving the Catholic Rites and hearing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayed—a fitting farewell for a woman whose faith guided her throughout her life.

Helen grew up in Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey, the eldest sister of a family of 6 girls, in a lively Irish Catholic household. She attended Camden Catholic High School, graduating in 1958, and went on to study nursing at Philadelphia General Nursing School. During her time there, she rekindled a friendship with Elmer “Buzz” Galbraith, who had been a classmate at Camden Catholic and was then a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. Their courtship blossomed quickly, and the two were married on June 19th, 1961.

With Buzz’s Navy career came a life of travel and frequent moves—a journey Helen embraced with grace, resilience, and a spirit of adventure. Their first home together was in Key West, Florida, where Helen welcomed their first two children: Kathleen Marie in 1962 and Lawrence Joseph in 1963. The family then moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho; Annapolis, Maryland; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where their son Patrick Michael was born in 1968.

The Navy continued to send the Galbraiths across the country, including tours in Groton, Connecticut; Pascagoula, Mississippi; and Charleston, South Carolina. While living in Charleston, Helen realized a childhood dream when she and Buzz bought their first horses in 1977. What began as a beloved hobby soon grew into a passion—and ultimately a family business—under the name Long Last Arabians.

Through all of these moves and responsibilities, Helen remained dedicated to her profession as a nurse. Her career spanned elderly care facilities, medical centers, and even state prisons. Her steady presence, calm determination, and deep compassion made her an exceptional caregiver, respected by colleagues and cherished by those she served.

In 1981, after Buzz retired from active duty, the couple moved to Washington State before returning to their home state of New Jersey to continue developing Long Last Arabians. Later, they relocated to Acworth, Georgia, and eventually settled in Bluffton, South Carolina, where they enjoyed a quieter pace of life.

Retirement brought Helen and Buzz opportunities to travel the world together. They ventured to South America—including Chile and the Falkland Islands—sailed the rivers of Europe with stops in France, and explored the Mediterranean with visits to Italy and Greece. Wherever they traveled, they did so hand in hand.

At home, Helen surrounded herself with the animals she loved. She and Buzz became devoted Pomeranian enthusiasts and eventually breeders. Helen also adored her three parrots—one of which she trained to sing in her own unmistakable South Jersey accent, much to the delight of everyone who heard it.

Of all her passions and achievements, Helen’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted mother to Kathleen, Lawrence, and Patrick, and a deeply proud grandmother to Caitlin Goldsberry, Kiran Galbraith, Sara Galbraith, and Brittany Galbraith. Helen will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, and all who were blessed to know her.

A final service in her honor will be planned at a later date. She will be laid to rest at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina beside her husband, Buzz.