BLUE HILL – Helen Zabriskie Lippincott Jaffray died Wednesday, April 21, 2010, one day after her 89th birthday, at her home. She was born in 1921 to Charles Lemaire and Frances Hyde Zabriskie. She was a church and civic leader, former fashion model, devoted mother of four and the gracious and beloved wife of William J. Lippincott, who died in 1992, and James F. Jaffray. A graduate of The Brearley School, she finished a year at Smith College, but left to marry Navy Lt. William J. Lippincott, Dec. 2, 1942. After the war, she settled in suburban Rye, N.Y., where she raised four children, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Empire State College in 1976 and held many volunteer leadership roles. She was the first woman on the Vestry of Christ’s Church, Rye, N.Y., directed the Sunday school, wrote its curriculum and built the school into the largest in the diocese. She was also chairman of Westchester Community Foundation, co-chair of Rye Youth Council, founder of Rye Youth Employment Service, on the board of directors of Port Chester Carver Center and held many other volunteer jobs. She was married to retail executive William J. Lippincott for 50 years, but after his death, she married retired banker James Jaffray, March 9, 1993, and moved to Maine. In Blue Hill she volunteered for Bagaduce Music Lending Library. She was also an active gardener, a master of crossword and jigsaw puzzles, accomplished pianist and gourmet cook, who opened her home and her heart to her large family. She loved going on long walks along the coast with Jim. She is survived by her husband, Jim; children, Helene Peterson of Tybee Island, Ga., Suzanne Crase of Denver, William Lippincott of Hampden and John Lippincott of Wesley Hills, N.Y.; three stepchildren, James Jaffray Jr., Lucy Jaffray and Kate Tapley, all of Blue Hill; grandchildren, Lindsay Peterson, Aaron Watson, Kirsten Domenech, Hannah Jaffray, Sarah King, Curtis Jaffray, Anna Tapley and Noah Tapley; and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 3, at First Congregational Church of Blue Hill. Condolences and remembrances may be sent to the funeral home at www.jordanfernald.com.
HELEN ZABRISKIE LIPPINCOTT JAFFRAY
