Mrs. Helen Shipman Pawley, 85, died Friday, April 13,

Mrs. Helen Shipman Pawley, 85, died Friday, April 13, 1984, at University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville.

Mrs. Pawley had retired from a show business career that began in 1902 with her impersonations of famous adult stars.

As an actress in her teens and twenties she played roles of increasing importance, winning critical acclaim in theaters throughout the country. In 1920 she created the role of Irene in that well-known musical comedy. She continued her career as a leading lady in dozens of musical comedy hits of the Ws and ’30’s.

She met her husband, actor Ed Pawley, in 1930 when they co-starred in Life is Like That.

In the late ’30’s Mrs. Pawley joined her husband in Hollywood where both appeared in a number of motion pictures.

She retired to Rappahannock in 1949 and found that she loved the simplicity of rural life as much as the glamour of her professional career. The veteran actress, who once said, “Acting prepares you for anything,” lent the same energy and grace one brought to the stage to a variety of retirement projects.

In Amissville, she and her husband established a small cannery operation, marketing fruit processed in honey under the name of Virginia Honey Girl.

In 1955 she moved to Rock Mills, her last home. Her days there were spent operating a country store, gardening and exploring her beloved river flats. Many decades after her professional career, she still graciously received journalists and theatrical historians at her little home on the river bluffs. She touched the lives of all who visited Rock Mills.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Joel Pawley, also of Rock Mills.

Mrs. Pawley was the daughter of James and Annie L. Mitchell Shipman.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Castleton Rescue Squad.

Clore Funeral Home in Culpeper was in charge of arrangements. Memorial services will be held at a later date.