Helen Gaines Scott Nordberg of Waynesboro, Va passed away on August 9, 2021 of Alzheimer's at the age of 92.

She was born to the late Col. Earl Lynwood Scott, Sr and Mabel McMillin Scott, Jul. 5, 1929 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio Texas.  A true "Army Brat" the family accompanied the Colonel as he was stationed all over the US and Hawaii.  Towards the end of WWII, Helen, her mother and brother Earl L. Jr. returned to the home place of Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1945.  She graduated from Hattiesburg High School in 1947. Following graduation, Helen, her brother and her mother traveled to Kyoto, Japan to join their father who was serving as a provost during the occupation – an experience that she often discussed.  The family returned after a year, and Helen received a BA in Spanish at University of Chattanooga in 1952.

After her marriage to Curt Bjorn Nordberg in 1960 at Ft. Benning, Georgia, the birth of her daughter in 1961 and subsequent divorce after Curt's return to Sweden, she went on to receive a MA in Library Science in 1964 while working full-time as a single mom.  She retired as assistant head of cataloging at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in 1995 after 25 years – a time during which she developed so many lasting and important friendships.

Helen loved shopping trips (particularly Trader Joe's), dining out with her friends around town and was a long-time member and supporter of Washington Opera/Natl Opera Company.

Helen was a resident of Reston, Virginia for 47 years before moving to Waynesboro, VA in 2016 to be closer to her daughter.

Helen was predeceased by her parents, and by her brother, Earl L. Scott, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Kate Palmquist (Don) of Rockbridge Baths, Virginia; her beloved sister-in-law Helen D. Scott of Rockville, Maryland; niece, Mary S. Wiecek (Tom) of Pickerington, Ohio; nephews, John Scott (Debbie), Joe Scott (Lorel) and Andrew Scott (Angela Mattingly) of Maryland.