HOPKINTON, NH:  Helen McDevitt passed away Thursday July 20, 2017 after a period of declining health at Hospice House in Concord NH surrounded by her loving family. 

Helen was born April 25, 1923 in Greenville, Maine, the daughter of E.W. Stacy and Vella E. Barrett Stacy.  She married William F. McDevitt November 11, 1948. 

She was a graduate of the University of Maine and a member of Chi Omega Sorority. 

After graduation she was accepted into Filene’s merchandising in Boston, MA where she worked as an assistant buyer.  Returning to Maine she taught Home Economics in Houlton.  While there she became Maine’s first woman Pilot and soloed on skis, as she was not allowed to use an airstrip. 

Her husband Bill predeceased her on April 17, 1982 after 36 years of marriage.  She was the last surviving child of 5 siblings.  Helen is survived by her 4 children William F. McDevitt, Jr. of Hopkinton, Helen Rogers and her husband Lance of Sherman, CT, Katherine Kellstrand and her husband Michael of Cazenovia, NY, Barrett McDevitt and his wife Adair of Brentwood, NH, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. 

Helen started the first successful Bed and Breakfast in Hopkinton, NH, which she maintained for twenty years. 

Helen loved to travel! Her excursions took her all over the world – when asked about her global adventures she would respond “name it, been there!”  She literally ran out of places to travel. She flew on an ultra-lite over Victoria Falls in Zambia as well as rode camels in Morocco and displayed a boa constrictor wrapped around her neck in Burma for her grandchildren’s delight.   Although she travelled extensively, her favorite place was always our camp at Lead Mountain in Maine enjoying a Bloody Mary or perhaps a Rye and water on the deck. 

Helen was loved by children and adults alike, for her “Children’s’ messages” about her travel adventures and souvenirs at the Hopkinton Congregational Church.  Having moved to Hopkinton in 1977 she was committed to the Congregational Church giving of herself and being honored by holding the position of deacon as well as participating as an officer in all of the church’s committees. 

As Helen grew older she continued playing golf, duplicate and contract Bridge, volunteered at the library, quilted, hooked amazing rugs, read voraciously and cooked up a storm!  Known for her sewing ability, Helen could always be counted on to create beautiful and unique costumes for church variety shows, often outfitting the entire cast in style! 

The family plans a memorial service on August 19, 2017 at 11 am at the Hopkinton Congregational Church. 

In lieu of flowers, Helen requests a memorial donation be made in her name to Hopkinton Congregational Church. 

The Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family.