HOLLIS-Helen Ann Smith, 91 passed from this world to her heavenly home on December 21, 2023, while at home with her family in Hollis Center, Maine.
Helen was born June 20, 1932, to Carl and Edith (Hutchinson) Smith. She was the first daughter and 3rd in line of 13 children. While attending Hollis High School she played basketball and in the summer stayed with her Aunt and Uncle and worked in Windham and Sebego. After graduating from Hollis High School, Helen went to work with CMP and stayed at the YWCA in Portland. While there she made many dear lifelong friends. When her children were young and Roger was stationed at Otis Air Force Base in Bourne Massachusetts, she volunteered at the Hospital and taught her children how to do hospital corners.
In December of 1954 she married Roger D. Smith who was in the Air Force after graduating from Hollis High School. Their time together before his death, in March of 1994, included travel across the United States and Europe. Imagine escorting your 4 daughters on a transatlantic flight without assistance. There were many times she was in the role of both mother and father as her husband Roger was deployed, sometimes with little notice, to a foreign land. She was a wife and mother who took care of her family. She had a lot of experience, being the oldest daughter in a family of 13 children. She was a mom who loved to cook and feed her family, always making sure everyone at the table had something to eat. Even the unexpected company, young recruits or fellow servicemen and women, away from their home that often sat at her table. She blessed her children with yummy care packages wherever they were. Cookies, needhams, fudge and so much more. She could take a piece of cloth and create beautiful dresses and clothes for her 5 daughters. Whether for everyday, school or dances. She loved children. Babies and toddlers always brought a big smile to her face.
No matter where she lived she was faithful in taking her girls to church. She made sure they were all clean and dressed in their Sunday best. This even included Roger loading their girls in a pickup truck to go to church while living in France. After Roger retired from the Air Force they settled in Sumter, South Carolina. They enjoyed spending time with their family in Maine so this meant annual extended trips home to Maine. Even while in the service it was a priority to get back home to Maine, from wherever they were. That included several trips driving cross country from California to Maine. While living in South Carolina Helen was a faithful Crossing Guard for Cherryvale Elementary School. For almost 40 years mom attended Hickory Road Baptist Church in Sumter, South Carolina. She was very active in her church, teaching the little ones, working in Vacation Bible School, helping in the nursery, and giving rides to women without a way to get to church. It was not uncommon to visit Helen and have her receive a call for a prayer need. She was a faithful servant with a kind loving heart and always a sweet smile to share.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband Roger Dale Smith, her parents, her grandchildren Casey Pearson, Atticus Pearson; her brothers Earl Smith, Frank Smith, Lee Smith, Carl Smith, Kerry C. (Kay) Smith, Clifford Smith and Robert Smith. Helen is survived by her daughters, Pamela Rasmuson and her husband Doug of Hollis Center, Maine; Brenda Mee and her husband Phil of West Newfield, Maine; Karen Pearson and her husband Lloyd of Ft. Jones, California; Jane Field of Perry, Georgia; and Jennifer Geddings and her husband Steve of Sumter, South Carolina. Her brothers Richard Smith of Hollis, David Smith of North Carolina, Peter Smith of Hollis, Her sisters June Lavoie of Biddeford and Sandra Constant of Westbrook. She is survived by her Grandchildren: William, Christopher, Derrick, Jake, William, Katie, Emily, Corinna, Isis, Alyssa, Andrea, Stephen and Amanda, Kaleigh, and Kamryn. Great grandchildren Amber, Vyctorya, Cora, Aubrey, Dillon, Raylee, Allie, Lucy, Iris, Judith, Ella, Haven, Callie, Stormy, Ethan and Madeline. Great Great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews as well as a host of extended family members.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
Living Stone Community Church. 711 Ossipee Trail West, Standish Maine
There will be a time of gathering and fellowship after the service.
Memorials may be made to
Hickory Road Baptist Church
1245 Cherryvale Dr.
Sumter, SC 29154
or
Living Stone Community Church
P.O. Box 126
Standish, Maine 04084.
We would like to say thank you to Northern Lights Hospice caregivers and volunteers .
Burial will be private at Meeting House Hill Cemetery in Hollis.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com