Elizabeth Chase Helm

Elizabeth (Chase) Helm, 95, formerly of Marion, MA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family in Norwell on January 22, 2024. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Robert Helm in 2017. Bette was born in Wolfeboro, NH and moved to Newton, MA where she attended Newton High School, Mt. Ida Jr. College, and Framingham State. She trained as a flight attendant and after marrying worked as an Administrative Assistant at Harvard University. She later worked at Needham High School in the Foreign Language Department. Bette and Bob lived in Needham for many years before retiring to Marion, MA in 1978.

Bette is survived by four sons and their wives: Stephen Bradford Helm and wife Julie of Sewickley, PA; W. Jeffrey Helm and wife Cynthia of Scituate, MA, Mark Willard Helm and wife Lynn of Walpole, MA; and Peter Starbuck Helm and wife Jeanne Herrick of Canterbury, NH. She leaves 11 loving grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

As a mother of four sons, she was a dedicated Cub Scouts Den Mother, Sunday School teacher at Christ Church Episcopal Needham, and an active volunteer heading up the high school band parent organizations.

She summered as a child in Mattapoisett. When they moved to Marion Village, they moored their sailboat ‘Caprice’ in Marion and loved sailing Buzzards Bay. She and Bob were active members of the Beverly Yacht Club, serving as House Chair and on several racing committees. She enjoyed sailing with Bob and BYC on their many cruises to Down East Maine.

Her interests were in many local groups including quilting and knitting, tennis, and especially gardening. Her flowers brought smiles to so many, and her gardens were often on local garden tours.

She loved St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion and volunteered at Friendship Tables and Damien’s Pantry. Bette enjoyed a love of music, especially playing her organ and piano. She and Bob loved attending the New Bedford Symphony.

A memorial service will be held at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front St., Marion, MA on Sunday, March 10th at 1:00 PM.

In Lieu of Flowers, contributions may be made in Bette’s name to St. Gabriel’s Mission, 124 Front St., PO Box 545, Marion, MA 02738, https://stgabrielsmarion.org/, or to the Alzheimer’s Association https://alz.org .