Helen A. (Johnson) Douglas

January 31, 2018

Helen A. Douglas

ATHOL- Helen A. (Johnson) Douglas, 94, of Riverbend Woods and formerly of Orange, died Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol with family at her side.

Born on the family farm in Orange on November 17, 1923, she was a daughter of Harold W. and Elizabeth M. (Sowell) Johnson and graduated from Orange High School in 1941.

Helen was married to Wesson W. Douglas, who predeceased her on December 21, 2007

Helen had worked as a teller for the former Shawmut Bank for over 13 years. She had also worked 10 years as departmental clerk for the Eastern Franklin Welfare District, and 12 years as a reporter for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, the Springfield Union News as well as the former Orange Enterprise and Journal paper in Orange.

A former member of the Baptist church in Orange, she served as a Sunday school teacher there. She had also attended the Orange Methodist Church and belonged to the women’s group.

Helen was always very active and was a member of AARP, the Emblem Club, the “739 Club” and all the activities at Quabbin Valley Helathcare during her stay there, including writing for the Quabbin newsletter, “The Voice”. She was also a strong advocate for the residents of the nursing home.

Helen enjoyed reading, traveling, dancing, watching grandson Michael play sports and granddaughter Gina dancing. It was the love of her family she cherished the most, along with dining out with her friends. Helen liked to play bingo and found much enjoyment visiting Nubble Light in York, Maine.

We would like to thank the staff of Quabbin Valley Healthcare for taking such good care of our mom and grandmother.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Susan MacEwen and her husband, Matthew; grandson, Michael Rathburn and his wife, Tameka; granddaughters, Gina Canfield and her husband, Joel, and Megan MacEwen; great grandchildren, Kyla, Jake and Lilly Rathburn, Chase and Cody Canfield, and Matthew Rathburn; a sister, Shirley McKay.

Besides her parents and husband, Helen was predeceased by a son, Paul C. Douglas, in 1973 in an automobile accident.

A calling hour will be held Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 9-10 a.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 3rd at Witty’s Funeral Home in Orange, with Rev. Dr. Megan Leary of the Orange Central Congregational Church officiating.

Interment will follow in South Cemetery, Orange.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Activites Fund, c/o Evie Boudreau, Quabbin Valley Healthcare, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol, MA 01331.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.

You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com

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