Helen R West
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Rockingham, VT - Helen Rosalie Nichols West died Saturday evening, December 7, 2019, in Springfield, Vermont; family members had gathered to be with her. She passed quietly, holding hands with her youngest son Todd.
Helen was born the 4th daughter of Albert and Francis (Rogers) Nichols in Searsport, Maine, on August 20th, 1934. She graduated from Searsport High School.
She worked at Waldo County Hospital in Belfast, Maine, where she would meet her husband James when he was a patient. They had four sons, Dale (Stephanie) of Decatur, GA, Scott (Wanda) of Westminster, VT, Laurel (Rebecca) of Lehigh Acres, FL and Todd (Carla) of Rockingham, VT, 12 grandchildren: Jessa Westclark (Joe), Jamie West, Jason West (Candace), Jody West and Lauren West Staymate (Aaron), Spencer and Travis Willette, Becca Stockwell (Josh), Jed West (Karen), Molly West (Greg), Jamie (Fred) and Lisa Horwitz, and 11 great-grandchildren. Helen was predeceased by husband James and twin grandsons Eric and Corey West and sister Ruth Robinson.
Helen was a dedicated mom, raising her four sons almost single-handedly as James was often on the road for his job as a truck driver. In the early 60s, she joined the job market following a work accident that left James in the hospital and out of work for many months. Finally, when James could return to work, Helen was able to continue the job she loved most, that as the mother of her boys. She would do just about anything for her sons except for maybe iron. Helen once said ,"I would rather take a spanking than iron." That was proven true when some baby clothes belonging to her eldest son Dale were found at the bottom of the ironing basket when he was 17.
Helen and James began their lives together in Sandy Point, Maine, before moving to Rockingham, VT in 1969. Later years would find them splitting their time between Sebring, FL, and Swanville, ME. In Rockingham, Helen would become a member of the Loyal Order of Moose of Bellows Falls and Pleasant Valley Grange.
After James passed away in March of 2011, she came back to live in Vermont. There she had the company of two of her sons, most of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her best friend, Fat Cat.
A date for summer services will be announced later.
Those desiring can make donations to the National Parkinson's Foundation or your favorite charity.
Helen's family would like to especially thank the staff of Springfield Health and Rehab and Bayada Hospice for the care and love that they provided to our mom.