Helen E. (Reed) Estabrooks

ORANGE- Helen E. (Reed) Estabrooks, 91, of The Overview in North Orange, died early Thursday morning, August 3, 2023 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner.

Born on February 20, 1932 in Greeley, Colorado, she was the daughter of Howard and Florence (Rau) Reed. Howard and Florence were both teachers and Helen and her sister Ruth Ann and brother Veldon moved often. They spent their summers on a “dry” farm in Wiggins, CO.  Helen enjoyed most of her high school years in Estes Park, CO where she learned to sew and play piano but had to move to Westminster, CO for her senior year.  

She met her future husband Sam in Westminster where he was helping his sister build a house.

On June 6, 1954, Helen married Samuel B. Estabrooks and enjoyed 49 years of marriage until his death on October 9, 2003.

Helen led a very active role in the North Orange community. She served as treasurer and secretary for over 50 years for the Community Church of North Orange and Tully, as well as co-chaired the annual Hobby Show for the church’s Village Fair and the center table auction for the Holly Fair. 

Helen also served as the Community Church’s media spokesperson for all fairs and church dinners, as well as collecting the money from diners at the monthly suppers.

Helen was also very active in the church Dorcas Society, having served over 50 years as president. Helen was a Brownies leader and member of the Orange Garden Club and Orange Women’s Club.

Both Helen and her husband Sam enjoyed square dancing and were members of the Hairpin Turners and the Jumptown Twirlers, and earned 100 badges. They also enjoyed traveling in their motor home cross country several times and went to Alaska in 1990 and 1995 and were members of the Coachmen Camping Club and New England Roamers.  Helen was an avid gardener and spent much of her spring and summer planting, weeding and watering her beautiful flowers.

Helen is survived by her children, Loretta Estabrooks of Holmes Beach,FL, Diane Tilden of Brooklyn, NY, Donna Estabrooks of Lake Pleasant, MA and Philip Estabrooks of Santa Barbara, CA; six grandchildren, Christine Ryan, Megan Bonini, Zoe Tilden, Ian Estabrooks-McPherson, Kyle Estabrooks, and Sean Estabrooks; 4 great grandchildren Adeline, Teddy and Elise Ryan and Alexander Tilden Gritsko and her sister Ruth Ann Wyatt of Arkansas and her brother Veldon Reed of Colorado.

There are no calling hours.

A celebration of life will be held on September 24, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Community Church of North Orange and Tully on the corner of Main Street and Creamery Hill Road, with Pastor Charlotte Weltzin officiating.  For those that can not attend in person there will be a Zoom connection to participate remotely.

Private interment will be in Tully Cemetery, Orange.

Flowers may be sent to the church for the celebration or donations made to the Community Church of North Orange and Tully, 46 Main Street, Orange, MA 01364.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen E. (Reed) Estabrooks, please visit our floral store.