Helen Divers, 64, school teacher and community activist.

HELEN DIVERS fed Mayor Nutter some sumptuous fare over the last few years - macaroni and cheese, chicken wings, meatballs and beans.

Of course, the mayor had to share the feast with neighbors who crowded into Helen Divers' compact rowhouse in Southwest Philadelphia on at least two occasions to talk about city finances.

Why Helen Divers' house? Because Helen Divers was one of the most active, community-minded, dedicated, passionate civic leaders the city has known.

She's done everything in the neighborhood "but plow the back 40," as Inquirer writer Annette John-Hall put it in a report of one of those meetings in 2009.

Helen Divers, a much honored and respected community leader and former schoolteacher, died of cancer Wednesday at age 64.

"Helen Divers was the epitome of what it means to be a great citizen; a respected community leader and advocate and a great role model who was involved in local politics," Mayor Nutter said. "She supported me and many other local politicians, and all she asked in return was that we serve the public to the best of our abilities."

She also made it her task to honor those who contribute to the city, singling out what she called the community "heroes" at her annual National Night Out event, sponsored by her 954 Garden Homes Civic Association. She emphasized the contributions of police, firefighters and other first responders.

Her appreciation of those jobs and her longtime leadership on the 12th Police District Advisory Council, led former Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson to name her an honorary deputy police commissioner years ago.

In 2011, Helen received the Community Activist Lifetime Achievement Award at the third annual Community Appreciation Day held by state Rep. Kenyatta Johnson.

Helen was born in Sumter County, S.C., to Willie Sanders and Louise China Pringle. She was educated in the public schools there and received a bachelor's in education from Coppin State University in Baltimore.

She taught at Barclay Elementary School in Baltimore before moving to Philadelphia. She taught middle school in the Chester Upland School District, putting in a total of 25 years of teaching before her retirement.

Helen was an active member of First Corinthian Baptist Church.

"Helen was one of the nicest people one would ever hope to know," her family said. "She was a very serious and no-nonsense person who would go out of her way for everyone. Helen believed that right is right and wrong is wrong, and if you are not sure what is right, then ask."

She is survived by four daughters, Chantay Divers, Terria Cheatham, Alissa Cheatham and Lisa Cheatham; three sons, Alvin Price Divers Jr., Jamal Cheatham and Limac Cheatham; eight sisters; three brothers; two step-sisters; and two grandchildren. She was predeceased by another son, William James Divers.

Services: 11 a.m. Thursday at First Corinthian Baptist Church, 5101 Pine St. Friends may call at 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Francis Funeral Home, 5201 Whitby Ave., and at 9 a.m. Thursday.