Helen Stearns Childs, 102

Helen Stearns Childs, 102, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. She was born in Springfield, Vermont, on May 6, 1913, to Ruby (White) and Roy Stearns. She was one of four children. She attended Springfield schools, graduating in 1932. She worked for Bernard Taylor, DDS, in Springfield as an dental hygienist prior to her marriage to Lewis Childs, June 3, 1939. They resided on Leonard Avenue in Springfield for 64 years. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield, Vermont, and recently the First United Methodist Church in Gilford. She and her late husband were avid golfers and members of the Crown Point Country Club in Springfield, Vermont. She volunteered for the Red Cross driving blood donors to and from the hospital during WWII and for the Senior Citizens of Springfield when she was older than some of her passengers. Helen's hobbies included knitting, crocheting and sewing. She enjoyed a full social life with friends and family. She had a great sense of humor and entertained all with wonderful stories.

Survivors include her two daughters, Marlene Witham and husband David of Sanbornton, with whom she made her home since 2003, and daughter Rebecca Noyes and her husband William of Westminster, Vermont. She also leaves her special nieces and nephew, Roy Stearns and Joan Carey both of Springfield, Vermont, and Betty Farnsworth of Hartland, Vermont. She is survived by 11 grandchildren: Shannon Noyes Fuller and her husband, Justin, of Westminster, Vermont; Jennifer Noyes and her partner, Steven Frank, of Middletown, Connecticut; Ned Witham and his wife, Carolyn, of Canterbury; Aaron Witham and his wife, Alison, of Gilford; Bethany Witham Lamprey and her husband, Jameson, of Sanbornton; and Tho Ngo and his wife, Thu, of Sugar Land, Texas. She has 11 great-grandchildren: Cedric, Charles, Noah and Margaret Witham of Canterbury; Ryan and Jordan Witham of Gilford; Cameron, Nathaniel and Evan Lamprey of Sanbornton; and Vy and Phi Ngo of Sugar Land, Texas.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family in the Oakland Cemetery in Springfield, Vermont. There will be no calling hours. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Humane Society, to honor her life-long love for animals, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156. Contributions can also be made to the First United Methodist Church in memory of Helen Childs, P.O. Box 7408, Gilford, NH 03247-7408 or to a charity of your choice.

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