WATERVILLE and DOVER-FOXCROFT – Helen Augusta Potter Pratt went on to be with the Lord Aug. 14, 2007, after a brief illness. She was a resident of Woodlawn Assisted Living Facility, Waterville. She was born Helen Augusta Potter, April 21, 1918, in Dexter. Helen graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1938 and married Harold Sam Pratt Sr. Together they had three children, Harold Sam Pratt Jr., David Russell and Shirley Marie. In the fall of 1953, Helen and her mother purchased a small farm on the Dexter Road, Dover-Foxcroft, on which they raised Helen’s three children. The farm is currently owned and operated by David Pratt. Helen was a spinner for 35 years at various woolen mills, including Eastland Woolen Mill. She retired for a short while and then embarked on her second career. In 1978, at the age of 60, she graduated from Kennebec Valley Vocational Technical Institute from the Health Occupation Course with a nurse assistant diploma, an accomplishment of which we are all very proud. She then worked at Lakewood Manor Nursing Home for approximately one year, after which she did private duty for several families. Helen’s joy was to cook for whomever graced her doorstep. She was at ease cooking for 30 or more and enjoyed visiting and sharing stories. She knitted hats and mittens for all the grandchildren and made afghans for whomever she thought needed one. Helen loved to garden and was blessed by a local farmer, who shared a spot with her until she was in her late 70s. Her freezer was always full of strawberries, which she loved to pick with her grandchildren. Helen loved the Lord and frequently attended Calvary Temple, Waterville. She has been adopted by many over the years, as she was a loving, compassionate, wise and funny lady. She was predeceased by her parents, Russell C. and Mabel (Currier) Potter; and a son, Harold Sam Pratt Jr. Helen is survived by a son, David Pratt and his wife, Carla, of Dover Foxcroft; a daughter, Shirley Swicker and her husband, Jack, of Waterville; and a daughter-in-law, Elaine (Pratt) Furge of Bangor. Her grandchildren include, Russell, Joe, Jon and Bill Tracy, David Pratt Jr., Timothy, Kenneth, Michael, Matthew, Angela, James and John Pratt, Delight, Lynn, Jennifer, Danny and Evangeline Pratt, David, Ruth and Jonathan Swicker. She also had many great-grandchildren, of whom she was quite proud. She will also be greatly missed by a special friend, Gina Hadsell and her family. The family would like to thank the nursing staff on 3 East at MaineGeneral Medical Center for caring for Helen with dignity and respect during her brief illness. Friends are invited to call 1 p.m. until time of funeral service 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. Burial will be in the family lot at Knowlton’s Mills Cemetery, Sangerville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakewood Manor, care of Rose Blanchett, 220 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901. Messages of condolence and memories may be left at www.laryfuneralhome.com
HELEN P. PRATT
