Helen C. Skelton, of South Portland, died in Topsham on March 24. She was born in Damariscotta on May 28, 1926. She was one of eight children born to Wallace Wilton Chadwick and Martha F. Gardner. She graduated from Deering High School.
Helen was love in action. Helen bestowed incredible loving kindness on everyone.
Helen met her husband Ken on a blind date New Year’s Eve in 1947! After their wedding in 1949 she and Ken raised five children. In the late 50s Helen and Ken moved to Sterling Avenue where they lived for 55 years. She was a devoted full time mom and in addition to teaching Sunday school at Elm Street Methodist Church and later the First Congregational Church, was involved in many organizations such as the Bluebirds, Brownies and Cub Scouts. She also canvassed the neighborhood every year for the American Heart Association. Helen, Ken, and family were members of the First Congregational Church for many years.
Helen had several part-time jobs, including working for Dr. Dunham who delivered four of her five children. Daughter Barbara was born in Columbus, Ga. while husband Kenneth served in the Korean Campaign. Helen also worked for Carolyn’s Caterers for several years. In 1975, at age 49, she completed an LPN nursing degree at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute and worked at Mercy Hospital for the next 20 years.
Helen baked “Skel-yums,” a favorite family snack mix for 50 years. The snack mix was marketed for a time at local stores. No one has been able to duplicate her recipe. She loved the beach, the color purple, and displayed hundreds of cows around her house.
In her later years, Helen traveled extensively with her husband Ken, son Ken, Jr. and his wife Martha. While on a trip to Scotland, they celebrated their marriage by reaffirming their vows. In 1999 Ken and Helen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by their devoted and loving family and friends.
In addition to traveling, their active retirement included extensive community service for which they received an award presented at the State House. She and Ken volunteered at the Dyer Elementary School Library in South Portland, served at the soup kitchen in Portland, and visited local nursing homes where they regularly administered communion.
Helen’s greatest passion and purpose was caring for family which found new life through her grandchildren who enjoyed her nurturing attention and attendance at their many school events. She persistently planned family gatherings to keep family connected.
Helen is survived by her sister, Priscilla Jones of Newcastle; brother, Jason Chadwick and wife Patricia of Mt. Kisco, N.Y.; daughter, Barbara Bard and husband Roderick of Hooksett, N.H. and children Kelly and Karen of Brunswick; daughter, Jean Libby and husband Raymond of Brunswick and children Evelyn of Brunswick and Jeremy Skelton and wife Abby of Lewiston; son, Ken Skelton, Jr. and wife Martha of Florence, Ky.; son, David Skelton and wife Lia and children Andrew, Lincoln, Kendra, and Mariyah of Brunswick; son, Craig Skelton and wife Marcy and children Brandon and Neeka of South Portland; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours 3-5 p.m., Sat., March 28 at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland with a funeral service to follow at 5 p.m. Internment will be at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland.
