Helen Catherine Scott, owned Roxie’s Restaurant

Helen Catherine Scott, 99, of Chincoteague, Va., passed away at home with her caregivers Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Born in Milton in 1925, Helen moved to Chincoteague in 2020 after a stay in the hospital. She lived with friends, Charles and Nancy Kupelian, until her peaceful passing.

Helen was the third daughter of Jesse and Winifred Walls, also of Milton. She is preceded in death by twin sisters, Phyllis Reibling and Doris Watson; a niece, Sheila Klingsmith; and two nephews, Lee and Gary Millman. In 1944, Helen married Edward M. Scott III of Buffalo, N.Y., and he passed away in 1985.

She is survived by her sister, Aretha Millman of Milton; and nieces, Bonnie Palumbo and Dana Mclaughin. 

Helen graduated from the Milton School in 1943. Early in her marriage, she lived in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and worked in a battery plant. While Edward was stationed at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., during World War II, Helen worked as a courier in a flight hangar. Her mode of travel across the base was a motor scooter.

She lived and worked most of her life in Milton, where she and Edward “Ed” owned and operated a service station. In 1970, they purchased the theater building there and opened it as Roxie’s Restaurant in 1971. They ran the popular restaurant together until Ed’s passing. Helen, along with her supportive staff, continued operation of the restaurant until she retired in the early 1990s. A gentleman who worked for her and Ed at the service station commented on Helen being a “working woman.”

Following her retirement, Helen volunteered at a doctor’s office, assisting with secretarial duties. She was also a volunteer for the Republican National Party and for many years worked at the election polls. Helen had a great love for her many dogs, Duchess, Bobby, and JR, to name a few. She enjoyed trips to Atlantic City, N.J., and was an avid reader. She completed crossword puzzles in ink. 

After moving to Chincoteague, Helen could sometimes be found sitting on the front porch with the family dog, Pepper. She often commented on the large size of the homes on the island, and even with her failing eyesight, she always commented on the level of the tide when crossing the causeway. She referred to her room off the back porch as her “nest,” where the afternoon sun kept her warm when napping.   

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, at Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding (located in Milton), P.O. Box 219, Nassau, DE 19968, sdtrhr.com/donate/donate-today.

Charles and Nancy would like to thank neighbors and friends for their support, and a little woman on a red and white scooter who sometimes cared for Helen. Also, Riverside Hospice for their exceptional service, especially Eva and Bernice.

Arrangements in the care of Salyer Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Chincoteague, Va., and Short Funeral Services in Milton.

Online condolences may be shared at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.