Helen T. Emma

Helen T. Emma

Peterborough, NH - Helen T. Emma, 92, a former longtime resident of New Ipswich, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, at Scott Farrar of Peterborough.

Born on August 9, 1933, in Peterborough, she was the daughter of Helen (Caldwell) Thayer and Philip C. Thayer of New Ipswich. After her mother's death when Helen was a young child, she was raised by her stepmother Ellen (Lampi) Thayer.

She attended Appleton Academy, and after raising her family earned a Bachelor of Science in Education at Fitchburg MA State College, graduating with honors. Helen was a devoted educator who started her teaching career at Wilton Elementary School in 1973. She went on to teach at Mason Elementary School for 24 years, including several years as head teacher. During that time, she also completed a Masters of Education Degree at Antioch University New England Graduate School in 1985. Helen loved teaching her young students and spent countless hours finding new ways to help them discover the joy of learning. She was a respected consultant to the Society for Developmental Education, training other educators in specialized math curriculum.

In her younger years, Helen and her husband Philip A. Emma raised their four children in New Ipswich and were married for 59 years until Phil's death in 2009. Oftentimes she could be found helping Phil behind the register of Phil's Market in New Ipswich. She was Phil's devoted caretaker as he journeyed through dementia in later years.

Helen was a proud and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was involved in Girl Scout Troops, church activities, and extracurricular activities and sports. She will be remembered for her dependable attendance, encouragement, and cheerleading from the stands of her children's and grandchildren's sporting events.

Helen loved sports and was a great swimmer who enjoyed a hot sunny day and a cool drink poolside as she watched her "grands" learn to swim. She was a tremendous basketball player in high school, playing with her two older sisters. Helen loved to be outdoors, walking and doing yard work. She learned how to play tennis in her fifties and spent many hours on the court during summer vacations. She had a mischievous giggle and a wonderful sense of humor. She was an avid reader and enjoyed a weekly book club with close friends well into her eighties. Helen also enjoyed sharing her favorite children's literature with the family. She was an accomplished braider of rugs. Helen loved singing and sang with the choir at church. She was also a fabulous piano player who accompanied the church choir, entertained her family and friends, and played joyously into her nineties.

In addition to her parents, Helen was predeceased by her husband Philip A. Emma, her brother William Thayer, and her sister Mary Lanthier. She is survived by her sister Nancy Thompkins and her husband Kenneth. She will be dearly missed by her four children and their spouses: Kathleen Gauvin and her husband Dennis of New Ipswich; Donna Parmenter and her husband Everett, of Katy, Texas; Philip B. Emma and his wife Luanne of Peterborough; and Stephanie Emma Litzerman of Manchester; her grandchildren (and their spouses) Lisa (Gauvin) MacPhee, Jason Gauvin, Ian Parmenter, Adam Parmenter, Jillian (Emma) Adams, and Andrew Litzerman; her ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She will be lovingly remembered as a woman of faith, humor, intelligence, energy, and resilience.

Helen was well loved by her caregivers and the family would like to thank Julie Barrette for her devoted home care and companionship, the wonderful people at Scott Farrar where Helen was so respectfully cared for in The Gardens, the supportive staff of Independent HomeCare, and Hospice at HCS, especially the kind and gentle care of Mary and Sharon.

In accordance with her wishes, a private graveside memorial will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family.

To honor Helen, please take a few moments to perform an act of kindness. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to either The Gardens/Memory Care at Scott Farrar, 11 Elm Street, Peterborough, New Hampshire 03458, or the New Ipswich Library, 6 Main Street, New Ipswich, New Hampshire 03071.

To share a memory, or to leave the family a message of condolence, please visit Helen's tribute page at www.jellisonfuneralhome.com.