SOUTH BLUE HILL – Helen Collins Sylvester, 90, died Nov. 12, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong South Blue Hill resident, Helen was born Dec. 4, 1919, the daughter of Irving Collins and Gertrude (Henderson) Collins. Helen attended school in South Blue Hill and was a graduate of George Stevens Academy. She and her beloved husband, John Sylvester, were married in 1939. A few years later she accompanied her husband to North Carolina, where many of the local men went for work and to help the war effort. Helen and her husband moved back to South Blue Hill to raise their family. In her early married years she baked for local stores and became known for her elaborate wedding cakes, which she continued to make until a few years ago. Her full-time baking job gave way to a secretarial job at Merle B. Grindle Agency, Blue Hill, from where she eventually retired. Helen was well known for her watercolor art and many of her paintings can be found in local homes, galleries and antique stores. She made her own greeting cards from pressed flowers that are still prized possessions of their recipients. Her art and hand painted Christmas ornaments were annual blue ribbon winners at the Blue Hill Fair. She was a much sought after resource when it came to the history of South Blue Hill and Long Island. She was a descendant of the Henderson family on Long Island and was the keeper of many photographs and letters that she generously made available to whoever was interested. Helen had recently started writing children’s stories and hymns. Her book, “Yellow Boatie” was published in 2008 and she was working on two more stories at the time of her death. Helen is survived by her two daughters, Betty Pickering and her husband, Stephen, of Blue Hill and Martha Condon and her husband, Philip, of Brooksville; her grandchildren, David Gray and his wife, Margie, of South Blue Hill, Mark Gray and his wife, Kelle, of Orland, Jeffrey Gray and his wife, Donna, of South Blue Hill, Michelle Wassink and her husband, Robert, of Brooksville and Derrick Condon and his wife, Kim, of Clare, Mich.; great-grandchildren, Christopher Gray and friend, Charlene Spindler, Ricky Lymburner, Taylor Gray, Erin Gray and friend, Adam Jordan, Patrick Gray, Logan Condon and Helena Condon; her sister, Wilma Wheeler and her daughters, Karen Wheeler and husband, Elpie Flores, and Gail Wheeler of Rio Rancho, N.M.; her sister-in-law, Connie Collins of Bucksport; nephew, Sage Collins and his wife, Alexis, of Blue Hill; niece, Autumn Collins and husband, Bill Rhoads, of Florida; and a stepgrandson, Andrew Pickering of Blue Hill and his two brothers, Thomas and his fiancee, Jamie Weatherbee, and their children, Sara, Emma, Mara, Layla and Ridge of Sedgwick, and Christopher and his wife, Samantha, and their children, Alexandra and Connor of Brooklin. Helen was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, John Sylvester; her brothers, Harvard, Waldo and Albert Collins; a nephew, Stuart Collins; a great-granddaughter, Cori Gray and Cori’s mother, Virginia Smith Gray; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Condon and husband, Robert Condon. The family is very thankful to all of Helen’s friends and neighbors who have been so thoughtful and helpful to her through the years. You made her life complete and she loved you all dearly. Family and friends are invited to a graveside service 1 p.m. Nov. 15 at South Blue Hill Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Rob McCall. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations in Helen’s name to the charity of your choice.
HELEN C. SYLVESTER
