Helen Estabrook, 100, recently celebrated the milestone of 100 years with a big party. She was born on May 23, 1916 in East Andover and peacefully passed on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Sterling Village Nursing and Rehab Center in Massachusetts under the loving care of their staff.
Helen was one of four children born to Clifton D. and Lydia (Perry) Colby. Her family relocated to Worcester when she was young. She attended North High School, class of 1934, and Children’s Hospital School of Nursing, then practiced private duty neonatal nursing for families throughout central Massachusetts prior to her marriage to William W. Estabrook, Jr. on June 8, 1940. They spent more than 60 happy years together before Bill’s passing in 2000.
Helen and Bill settled in Worcester and raised six children. They worked through life’s challenges, including the loss of their home on June 9, 1953 to a tornado.
Helen was very involved in neighborhood activities, PTA President at Indian Hill School, a Girl Scout Leader for 25 years, and one of the founding families of St John’s Episcopal Church in Worcester. She was an active member of Cub Scouts, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Chaffins Woman’s Club. She spent over 20 years volunteering at the Corner Shop in Holden and still found time to knit, sew, square dance, bowl, and travel throughout the world. She loved sports and was a devoted Red Sox fan!
She is lovingly missed by her five children: William W. Estabrook, III, MD and his wife Mariette of Granbury, Texas; Suzanne P. Dupuis and her husband Steven of Sterling, Massachusetts; Eliot H. Estabrook and his wife Karen of Milford, Maine; Leland S. Estabrook and his wife Nancy of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; and Sheryl R. Collyer and her husband Kevin of Largo, Florida; her brother Carroll D. Colby of Lacey, Washington; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two nephews. Helen was predeceased by her daughter, Ellen L. Estabrook, who died in 1983, and by her sister, Louise Waters, and a brother, Henry Colby.
Relatives and friends were invited to attend a funeral service honoring Helen’s life on June 17 at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden, Massachusetts. Burial in Rural Cemetery, Rutland, Massachusetts will be private. There are no visiting hours.
Memorial donations may be sent to St. Francis Episcopal Church, or to the Corner Shop, First Congregational Church of Holden, 1180 Main Street, Holden MA 01520. To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please visit MilesFuneralHome.com.