Helyn Lynae Marshall

Helyn was born a creative on August 24, 1975, to disabled artists Don and Gay Dell, in Columbus, Oh. Her childhood years were spent enveloped in creativity at her parent’s German Village quilting store and her father’s sculpture studio at Milo-Grogan Arts. Throughout her education at Ft Hayes High School and studying English at OSU, Helyn found ways to absorb, reflect and contribute to the arts- and still leave time to end the evening dancing with the punk kids at Outland. She answered the challenge put forth by Pablo Picasso; she remained an artist while becoming an adult. She painted, danced, cooked, wrote, beaded, sewed, created, and curated the spaces around her. 

For the past 18 years Helyn was employed at the Wexner Center for the Arts, most recently serving as the center’s first Accessibility Manager and Digital Accessibility Coordinator. Helyn tirelessly fought for society’s realization that the ability to participate in, and enjoy, the arts is a human right.  Her ethos inspired peers to nominate her for the Tappen Award, which she was honored to win in 2022. 

After beating cancer in 2002, the following 21 years were filled with a survivor’s zeal and perspective. Having crossed each other’s paths and caught each other’s eye for over a decade, 2006 brought with it the love of her life: Anthony Marshall, a man proven a strong and well-suited equal to her. They wed in 2012 gifting the world another creative in 2014, their daughter Vivian Rose Marshall. Helyn’s adoration of Vivian added the greatest meaning and deepest joy to a life already filled with purpose. 

Helyn’s life, though ephemeral, burned bright with artistic expression, ideals, empathy, and compassion. She loved fiercely, listened carefully, laughed easily, forgave quickly, found beauty in dark places, and has forever marked those blessed to have orbited her brilliant light. Somehow, she was the coolest, most bad-ass, yet most approachable person in a room; she had scorching wit and a wicked sense of humor but never missed a chance to show genuine concern, care and patience to anyone that crossed her path. 

Helyn was preceded in death by her father Donald Dell and mother, Gay Dell-Howard, brother Pete Dell, mother-in-law Annabelle Marshall, as well as grandparents Larry Wade, Velva Wade, and Helyn (Anderson) Wade. She is survived by husband Anthony Marshall, daughter Vivian Marshall; siblings Gary Shambaugh, Patricia "Pati" Shambaugh, Mark Dell, Mike Dell, and Patty Eberts. Sister in-law Joanna Marshall and innumerable beloved and special friends. 

A celebration of Helyn’s life will be held on Friday, October 13^th, 2023: