Shirley Ruth (Colby) Helms, 86, of Woolwich, died at her family home on Feb. 20, surrounded by her family and husband of nearly 66 years, Edgar J. Helms.
Shirley was the daughter of Maurice and Marguerite Colby of Watertown, Mass. and Wiscasset.
She graduated from Watertown High School in 1941, where she captained the women’s field hockey team. She went to Burdett College where she graduated with a business and accounting degree. She married Edgar J. Helms, who was then a tech Sergeant in the Army Air Corps, on March 29, 1944. After Edgar’s return from service in Europe, he received his masters of divinity from Boston University and became a Methodist minister in the New England conference. Together Shirley and Edgar served churches in Newton Lower Falls, Wellesley, Milford, Springfield, and Westfield, Mass. During this time Shirley held professional support positions in finance in Boston, Mass., and in college admissions and administration at Western New England College and Westfield State College.
In 1983 Shirley and Edgar retired to the cottage that they had built with the support of many wonderful families and friends on the shore of Pemaquid Lake in Damariscotta. Their cabin, that they christened Kum-Ba-Yah, became a favorite gathering place for all those families and friends over the years and held a very special place in their hearts for all its warm memories.
In 2006, Shirley and Edgar began to spend winters with their daughter Shirley Helms Titcomb and her family at the Colby family homestead in Woolwich. A special apartment that once was the living room, parlor, and master bedroom of the original farm house was carefully converted into a wonderful, warm, and loving apartment that looked out on the spreading maple tree that dominates the entrance to Trout Lily Farm.
Shirley was predeceased by her brothers, Franklin of Somers, Conn., and William of Tucson, Ariz. Their children and grandchildren have been loving nephews and nieces to Shirley and her husband and have brought them great joy during their frequent visits to New England along with William’s widow, Dottie Lou Colby of Tucson, Ariz.
Shirley is survived by her husband and life long partner Edgar; children, Ned Jr. and wife Sally of Concord, N.H., and Shirley Helms Titcomb and husband Ron Titcomb of Woolwich; grandchildren, Greg Titcomb of So. Burlington, Vt., Margaret Helms Cimini of Somerville, Mass., and Kelly Titcomb of Woolwich; and countless grand-dogs, grand-cats, nephews, and nieces, who always loved their time visiting Shirley and Ned down east.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you forward your generous gifts and thanks to Miles Home Health and Hospice.
Service celebrating Shirley’s life will be held this spring, 2 p.m., Fri., April 23 at the Round Pond United Methodist Church. The following Saturday, April 24 we will be participating in the Mid Coast MS Walk in Brunswick in remembrance of Shirley’s rich and wonderful life.
