ganization was disbanded in December of 1944 and Richey
returned to McKeesport, Pennsylvania.
The world of aviation was quickly changing and upon her
arrival home she was unable to find a job as a pilot, instructor
or consultant. It was a time when thousands of military pilots
were returning from being in the service and taking every
aviation job available. It seemed as if all of Helen Richey’s fly
ing achievements and experience were no longer important.
Depressed and lonely and hungry for change, in 1945
she left her small hometown to move to New York City. The
change of scenery, however, did not help with the job search,
and Richey grew despondent. She visited McKeesport in 1946
and told friends that it seemed as if her flying days were over
and her life had become a bore. On January 7, 1947, her life
less body was found lying on the bed in her New York apart
ment. She had apparently taken a fatal dose of sleeping pills.
Helen Richey left the world of aviation a different place. Her
piloting skill and achievements proved that a remarkable pilot
can’t be determined by gender. She had a career that earned a
lot of respect not only for her but all women in aviation past,
present and future. ✈
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J. Michael Krivyanski is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in such publications as Entrepreneur Magazine and
Presbyterians Today. He is also a syndicated columnist with
Continental News Service.
