Helen May Pearl

Helen D. Pearl, 78, wife of Arthur B. Pearl, died Saturday May 4, 2002 at Douglas Manor in Windham. She was born May 25, 1923 in Windham, the daughter of the late Wesley and Delphina Deming of Chaplin. Helen was previously employed by Electro Motive Mfg. Co, New England Pants Factory in Willimantic and the Hampton Post Office before devoting her time to her family and community. She served in numerous volunteer capacities including Girl Scout Leader, the American Tuberculosis Association coordinating TB screening for the community, and the American Red Cross helping with bloodmobiles and the floods in Putnam in 1954. As a member of the Windham Hospital Auxiliary, she worked in the Coffee House at the hospital and sewed hospital jonnies and bed pads. Helen is most known for her work with the Grange and her church. As a member of Little River Grange #36, she served in various offices and as the chairman of the Committee of Women?s Activities for over 40 years. She organized the annual Hampton Memorial Day Chicken Barbecue and created the Little River Grange Scholarship Fund. She held many offices as a member of Quinebaug Pomona Grange #2. A member of the Connecticut State Grange she is a past State Ceres and member and co-chairperson of the State Committee on Womens Activities. Her major project while CWA chairman was the raising of funds to renovate the auditorium for the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford. She is also a member of the National Grange. Helen has worked as a superintendent at the Connecticut Agricultural Fair and as a member of the Connecticut Fair Association as a member of the Adult Baking Contest Committee. She was a member of the Hampton Congregational Church Ladies Aid Association, acting as President for many years. She was influential in organizing the Annual Little River Grange/Hampton Congregational Church Holiday Bazaar where she is well known for all of her potholders, stuffed toys, Christmas ornaments and aprons she made and donated. As President of the Ladies Aid she coordinated the Hampton Antique Show for five years. The Hampton Gazette selected Helen as the Hampton Citizen of the Year in 1988. In addition to her husband she is survived by three children, Alma Palmer of Columbia, Dale and Dave DeMontigny and Kevin and Jane Pearl of Hampton; 8 grandchildren, Michael Palmer of Windham, Katherine Palmer of Columbia, Cynthia Palmer of East Sandwich, MA, Dwayne and David DeMontigny II of Norwich, Tammy Parker of Wisconsin, Rebecca DeMontigny, Christine, Amber, Polyanna and Kevin Pearl of Hampton and Lyssa Porter of Manchester. Three sisters, Evelyn Green of Eastford, Alice Smith of Columbia and Lois Green of Deltona, FL. She was predeceased by two sons, Arthur James and Glenn Arthur Pearl. Her family will receive friends at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., (Route 195), Willimantic on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Hampton Congregational Church, Main Street, Hampton. Burial service will follow at the South Cemetery in Hampton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Little River Grange Scholarship Fund, c/o Barbara Pogmore, 379 Station Road, Hampton, CT 06247. Arrangements by Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic. www.potterfh.com