CAMDEN – Helmi Heino Ranta Masalin, 92, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006, at her home. Born July 23, 1914, in Tammela, Finland, she was the daughter of Karl Henrik and Vilhelmina (Nakio) Heino. In 1923, the family immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island. Helmi’s name is on panel 538 of The American Immigrant Wall of Honor at Ellis Island. The family moved to Rockville and she attended grade school there. In 1930, Helmi went to work for Dr. Foss in Rockland, becoming a U.S. citizen at age 21. On Dec. 23, 1933, she married Jalo Ranta. During World War II they moved to Portsmouth, N.H. before moving to Rockland for several years so that Jalo could work at the shipyard. Helmi served as an air raid warden, did alterations for Lucien Green’s Clothing Store, served as a voting ward clerk, and worked at Holmes Packing Co. in Rockland. In 1966, Helmi traveled to Finland for the first time to visit her mother. In 1968, Jalo died. In the late 1960s, Helmi worked as a ward secretary for Knox County General Hospital and as activities director for Pen Bay Nursing Home. On Oct. 26, 1975, she married Viljo Masalin, moving to Lincolnville where she was a member of the Lincolnville Grange. She was also a member of the R.S.V.P.; a member and past president of the Beaverettes, the Knox County Fish & Game Association’s ladies group; a member of the Camden Senior Citizens; and a charter member of the Finn-Am Society. In 2000, Viljo died. Her hobbies included sewing, reading, crocheting, and playing cards with her friends at Megunticook House where she lived since 1990. Helmi’s greatest joy in life was her family. “Mina Rakastan Sinua,” which means “I love you” in Finnish – mom, momma, nan, mimi, Helmi, gram, gramma. Surviving are her two daughters, Helen Deshon and her husband, David, of Dover, N.H.; June Wilcox and her husband, William, of Winterport; her brother, Einar Heino of Florida; four grandchildren, Jeff Deshon of Castro Valley, Calif., David Deshon Jr. of Maine, Charles Stewart of Bangor and Amanda Rackliff of Winterport; five great-grandchildren, Erika Deshon, Anna Deshon, Nathanial Wilcox, Jacki Deshon and Bradley Deshon. She was predeceased by her two husbands; a daughter, Nancy Ranta; a brother, Charlie; and a sister, Ali. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the Rockville Cemetery, Route 17, Rockville, with the Rev. Terence Willis officiating. After the graveside service, family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of her life at the Megunticook House, 79 Union St., Camden. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Finnish Heritage House, P.O. Box 293, South Thomaston, ME 04858; or the Finn-Am Society of Mid-Coast Maine, P.O. Box 488, Warren, ME 04864. Arrangements are with the Laite Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden.
HELMI HEINO RANTA MASALIN
