Helen R. Gross

PORTLAND - Helen R. Gross, 84, of Birchwoods at Canco, Portland, died July 7, 2009, with her family by her side, at Mercy Hospital. She was born Sept. 3, 1924, in Ellsworth, the daughter of Milton and Lura (Andrews) Rogers. She was educated in Ellsworth schools and was a 1941 graduate of Ellsworth High School. She married Alfred C. Chamberlain in Ellsworth in 1942. He predeceased her in 1943 during World War II. She married Lawrence E. Gross, Feb. 1, 1946, and they enjoyed a long and happy marriage. He predeceased her in October 1992. Helen worked many years with her husband, keeping books for the family wholesale/ retail seafood business: L.E. Gross Seafoods of Ellsworth. She lived in Ellsworth until her and Lawrence's retirement. They then moved to Naples, Fla., where they lived for many years. Helen returned to Maine in 2005 to be near her family. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and a life member of Order of the Eastern Star, OES, Irene Chapter of Ellsworth. Helen was predeceased by a son, Lawrence E. Gross Jr. in 2006. She is survived by a son, Alfred C. Chamberlain and his wife, Sandra, of Westfield, Mass.; daughter-in-law, Julie Gross of Gorham; two grandsons, Lawrence E. Gross III of Gray and John A. Gross of Gorham; and two great-granddaughters, Caroline and Rachel Gross of Gorham. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, July 13, at Woodbine Cemetery, Ellsworth. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's memory may be made to American Diabetes Association, Portland Division, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or Maine State Troopers Association Scholarship Fund, 28 Meadow Road, Augusta, ME 04330-4915. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Homes and Cremation Services of Portland.