Obituary for Helen M Burns
Helen M. Burns
Lubec
Helen M. Burns,93,Passed away on the evening of October 6, 2020 at the Calais Regional Hospital. She was born June 25, 1927 in Lubec to Orrin and Margaret (Cookson) Miller.
Helen attended Lubec schools graduating in 1945. After graduation Helen spent a short time working as a secretary at Togus Veterans Hospital. By 1950 Helen had returned to Lubec and married Ralph E. Burns. Helen and Ralph made their home in Lubec, Me. and Winter Garden, Fl. By 1958 they had 6 children.
After losing their second son, Boyd, to a tragic drowning in Florida on May 25, 1959 the family went home to Lubec. They did not return to Florida. Back in Lubec they bought a house in Bailey’s Mistake and added 2 more children to the family.
Ralph eventually became a Union Carpenter for Local #621 and Helen raised the children.
Helen was a busy woman her whole life, we always had homemade bread, sweets, jams and jellies. There was always laundry to be washed in the wringer washer and hung on the lines. Helen sewed clothing for all her children and even taught most of them to sew.
In the late 60s Helen became a Girl Scout leader. Many girls from that era have fond memories of those adventures.
After her divorce in 1976 Helen embarked on a new adventure, working outside the home. She worked for a time at the Lubec Town Office, Booth Fisheries, and finally Eastland Motel.
Helen was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Quoddy Light Chapter #94 where she held numerous positions including secretary and Worthy Matron.
Helen was also active in the community. She served on the school board, the town budget committee and was a ballot clerk for numerous elections. Helen, along with Bernard Ross, Gerry Green and few others, was a founding member of the Lubec Historical Society. In 1976 this small group
researched and published “200 years of Lubec History 1776 to 1976”. They were all very proud of this accomplishment.
Helen was also interested in genealogy having traced her family history back several generations.
Helen made many many friends in her 93 years of living Alice Ashby, Gerry Green, Marylyn Curtis, Shirley Morong and Vi Cheney were just a few of the special ones.
Helen was a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2002. After receiving treatment she made a full recovery. Helen was a homebody and loved being in the fog at Bailey’s Mistake where she was fortunate enough to live until just a few months prior to her passing.
The family would like to thank all the staff and doctors involved in her care at Down East Community Hospital, Orono Commons, EMNH, DEEMS, and CRH.
Helen was predeceased by her parents, son Boyd and Granddaughter Tabitha Archer.
Helen is survived by children, Greg & Louise Burns, Pam & Wayne Ashby, Peggy Mahar & Kim Crossman, Julie & Dale Archer, Martha Matthews, Cathy & Billy Davidson, Heather Lee & Dana Green
Grandchildren
Matthew & Sherry Ashby, Samantha Mahar, Mick Archer, Sarah Matthews, Christopher Davidson, Jesse Burns, and Sadie Manning
Great-grandchildren
Delesdenier & Madisein Ashby, Dresden Ashby, Quinn Cunningham, Blaine & Roland Moreau, Aeva & Sydney Pressley, Connor Robinson, Aaliyah Manning, Jocelyn Scully and Lillian Burns.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be held 11 am Saturday June 26, 2021 at the Washington Masonic Lodge 15 Main Street, Lubec.
Lubec
Helen M. Burns,93,Passed away on the evening of October 6, 2020 at the Calais Regional Hospital. She was born June 25, 1927 in Lubec to Orrin and Margaret (Cookson) Miller.
Helen attended Lubec schools graduating in 1945. After graduation Helen spent a short time working as a secretary at Togus Veterans Hospital. By 1950 Helen had returned to Lubec and married Ralph E. Burns. Helen and Ralph made their home in Lubec, Me. and Winter Garden, Fl. By 1958 they had 6 children.
After losing their second son, Boyd, to a tragic drowning in Florida on May 25, 1959 the family went home to Lubec. They did not return to Florida. Back in Lubec they bought a house in Bailey’s Mistake and added 2 more children to the family.
Ralph eventually became a Union Carpenter for Local #621 and Helen raised the children.
Helen was a busy woman her whole life, we always had homemade bread, sweets, jams and jellies. There was always laundry to be washed in the wringer washer and hung on the lines. Helen sewed clothing for all her children and even taught most of them to sew.
In the late 60s Helen became a Girl Scout leader. Many girls from that era have fond memories of those adventures.
After her divorce in 1976 Helen embarked on a new adventure, working outside the home. She worked for a time at the Lubec Town Office, Booth Fisheries, and finally Eastland Motel.
Helen was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Quoddy Light Chapter #94 where she held numerous positions including secretary and Worthy Matron.
Helen was also active in the community. She served on the school board, the town budget committee and was a ballot clerk for numerous elections. Helen, along with Bernard Ross, Gerry Green and few others, was a founding member of the Lubec Historical Society. In 1976 this small group
researched and published “200 years of Lubec History 1776 to 1976”. They were all very proud of this accomplishment.
Helen was also interested in genealogy having traced her family history back several generations.
Helen made many many friends in her 93 years of living Alice Ashby, Gerry Green, Marylyn Curtis, Shirley Morong and Vi Cheney were just a few of the special ones.
Helen was a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2002. After receiving treatment she made a full recovery. Helen was a homebody and loved being in the fog at Bailey’s Mistake where she was fortunate enough to live until just a few months prior to her passing.
The family would like to thank all the staff and doctors involved in her care at Down East Community Hospital, Orono Commons, EMNH, DEEMS, and CRH.
Helen was predeceased by her parents, son Boyd and Granddaughter Tabitha Archer.
Helen is survived by children, Greg & Louise Burns, Pam & Wayne Ashby, Peggy Mahar & Kim Crossman, Julie & Dale Archer, Martha Matthews, Cathy & Billy Davidson, Heather Lee & Dana Green
Grandchildren
Matthew & Sherry Ashby, Samantha Mahar, Mick Archer, Sarah Matthews, Christopher Davidson, Jesse Burns, and Sadie Manning
Great-grandchildren
Delesdenier & Madisein Ashby, Dresden Ashby, Quinn Cunningham, Blaine & Roland Moreau, Aeva & Sydney Pressley, Connor Robinson, Aaliyah Manning, Jocelyn Scully and Lillian Burns.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be held 11 am Saturday June 26, 2021 at the Washington Masonic Lodge 15 Main Street, Lubec.