Pearl Leona Helems

04/03/2005

Pearl Leona Helems, 92, of 24 Silver St. died Sunday at Timberlyn Heights Nursing Facility, where she had resided since May 2004. Born in Peru, Vt., on Jan. 28, 1913, daughter of Harvey and Emma Privansal Reed, she attended schools in Leeds. She trained at Leeds Veterans Hospital, now Northampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and graduated from the Post Graduate School of Nursing of Chicago. She moved to Great Barrington in 1994. A licensed practical nurse, Mrs. Helems was employed for 20 years at the Leeds VA hospital, retiring in 1972. She was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. She enjoyed music, dancing, playing the organ and traveling. Her husband, Leonard J. Helems, whom she married March 24, 1928, in Haydenville, died Feb. 17, 1995. She leaves a daughter, Dorothy Putnam of Great Barrington; three sons, Edward J. Helems of Florence, Leonard J. Helems Jr. of West Hatfield and Zephyrhills, Fla., and Walter John Helems of Housatonic; 12 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Services for Pearl Helems, who died April 3, 2005, will be conducted Thursday, April 7, at 10 at BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME by the Rev. Charles Deitz, retired pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Great Barrington. Burial will follow in the family plot in Mahawie Cemetery. The family will receive friends tomorrow, April 6, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy in Pearl's memory may be made to Southern Berkshire Elderly Transportation Co. in care of the funeral home, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Mrs. Helems is survived by a son-in-law, Donald Putnam, and 11 grandchildren, Edward Jr., Susan, Nancy, Maryellen, Sulo Jr., Richard, Diane, Sherry, James, Michael and Joseph. She was predeceased by three brothers, Edward, Charles and George Reed, and a grandson, Robert.

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