OLD TOWN – Helen F. (Smith) Powell, 86 years and 1 day old, died peacefully July 18, 2009, at a Bangor health facility. She was born July 17, 1923, in Old Town, the daughter of Gardiner and Florence (Bradford) Smith. After graduating from Old Town High School she started working as a clerk at various retail stores in this area. She worked at Woolworth’s, Bangor, for the greater part of her working career and finished as a cashier. In 1957, she married Louis M. “Slim” Powell who was working for Great Northern Paper and this marriage lasted until Slim passed away, Feb. 13, 2008. She maintained the house she had purchased on Stillwater Avenue, Old Town, while her husband commuted to Millinocket on Mondays and returned on Fridays. She was devoted to her husband as he was devoted to her. After a stroke in 1988 hampered her mobility, Slim was the consummate companion – caring for her at home until a car accident in 2008 sent both of them to a nursing home in Bangor. They loved to eat a various restaurants and they were a cute couple with Slim being 6 feet 6 inches tall and Helen about 5 feet tall. She had a most beautiful smile that would light up the room whenever she entered, and a wonderful personality, which extended warmth and dignity to anyone she met. She spent her last year and one half at Westgate Manor, and she adored the wonderful staff there and the comfort and care they provided. After Slim retired from Great Northern Paper in 1982, they traveled to Florida for several winters, but then stayed at their home in Old Town for the entire year. Helen loved to watch TV and especially the business channels where she could see the stock quotes stream across the screen, plus the game shows in the evening. Survivors include two sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Tryon and Marion Heywood; plus a niece, Elizabeth O’Meara. She was predeceased by her parents; and a sister, Dorothy and her husband, Louis. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Westgate Manor, 750 Union St., Bangor, ME 04401; Maine Forest and Logging Museum – Leonard’s Mills, P.O. Box 456, Orono, ME 04473; or American Chestnut Foundation, Maine Chapter, care of Glen Rea, ME-TACF President, 231 Buck St., Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor, ME. www.kileyandfoley.com
HELEN F. (SMITH) POWELL
