Helen B. Colby

Helen B. Colby, 83
     SANFORD - Helen B. Colby, 83, of Sanford, formerly of Wells, died on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005 at the Newton Center.
     She was born Oct. 6, 1922 to Ethel B. Horne and William J. Burrows, in Springvale.
     She lived in Massachusetts for nine years, then returned to Springvale, she was employed in the Sanford Mills Cost Department & Design Division until her marriage to Clarence G. Colby in 1948. Then they moved to Wells. She attended Sanford schools and was in the Class of 1940 at Sanford High.
     In 1952, she joined the then called, Farm Bureau, now the Cooperative Extension Service.
     She is a 46-year member serving as Safety Chairman, International Chairman, Chairman of the Wells Branch Extension and Alewive Extension. She served three, three year terms as County Chairman. Helen also served as State Safety Chairman, State Treasurer, International Chair, Vice Chair, and State President for three and a half years.
     While serving in these offices, she attended 15 National Conferences and eight International Conferences.
     In 1983, at the Association Country Women of the World Conference, in Kellarney, Ireland, she ran for and was elected to the Extension and National Services Commission for three years, attending meetings at the University of Reading and University of Birmingham.
     In 1958, Helen was co-founder of the Cub Scout Pack 356 and was a Den Mother for six years. She then served as Commissioner for several years ending as a Chairman of the Commission. She was a founder of Boy Scout Troop 300 and formed the Mothers Club to purchase camping equipment for the troop.
     In 1975, she ran for Selectman in Wells, was elected as the first woman on the Board, and served eight years. She resigned after the death of her husband in 1982. She was responsible for getting the first ordinance through town meeting. She helped found the Athletic Boosters at Wells High and was the second President.
     She was a member of the Wells Branch Baptist Church and served as Treasurer, Auditor, Sunday School Teacher, and sang in the choir. She started the Young Married Couples Group and belonged to the Ladies Aid at the High Pine Baptist Church.
     Mrs. Colby was a world traveler and visited all continents except Antarctica. She also visited 48 of the 50 states. She worked in the Town Clerk's Office for the Town of Wells during the 1950s and 1960s, and also several years in the Wells Post Office.
     She was also an antique dealer.
     Her hobbies included bowling, traveling, and knitting.
     She is survived by a son, Jay W. Colby; daughter-in-law, Marcia; two grandchildren, Diane A. Colby and Wade P. Colby; all of Sanford; a niece, Barbara Haines of Dover, N.H.; and a nephew, Richard Goodwin of Sanford.
     A memorial visiting hour will be held on Friday, Dec. 2, from 9-10 a.m. at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Rd.,Wells, following a celebration of her life memorial services at 10 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will be at Ocean View Cemetery,Wells.
    
     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Colby's memory to:
    The American Heart Association
    343 Gorham Rd.
    South Portland, Maine 04106
    or
    The York County Extension Homemakers
    c/o Bibber Memorial Chapel
    67 Summer St.
    Kennebunk, Maine 04043
    
     Arrangements by Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Rd., Wells.
    Helen B. Colby
    Bibber Memorial Chapel
    Kennebunk-Wells-Berwick
    800-889-2752
    bibberfuneral.com