Helen May McBride

1928 - 2014

SHELBURNE - Helen May (Calder) McBride passed away peacefully on June 17, 2014 of cancer. She died at home with her family by her side.
She was born in Gloucester, MA, to the late Elizabeth and John Calder on Nov. 10, 1928. Educated in Leominster, MA, she was a graduate of Leominster High School in 1946. Helen lived in many foster homes as a child and finally settled in Shelburne with Harriett and Wesley Phillips.
She was married to Donald M. McBride on May 15, 1950 in the First Congregational Church of Shelburne by the late Rev. John D. Mowrey. Helen and Don just celebrated 64 years of marriage this past May 15.
In earlier years, Don and Helen would vacation with their sons at their favorite cottage in Maine. They all still talk about those years with fond memories.
Helen had a beautiful flower garden around the house and would often enter her flowers in really cute displays at the Shelburne Grange Fair.
Helen loved her church and considered it her extended family. She belonged to the Women's Fellowship, was one of the Sunshine Girls, at one time she was a board member of the Food Pantry and also served on Habitat for Humanity projects. Helen loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. She sang in many church choirs since her childhood. For over 60 years, she sang in the First Congregational Church choir and had been a member of the Pioneer Symphony Choir for 25 years.
Helen is survived by her husband of 64 years, Donald of Shelburne; three sons: Dennis McBride and his wife Barbara of New Market, NH, Rodney McBride and his wife Ann of Shelburne, Barry McBride and his wife Eva of Bakersfield, CA; a brother, Herman Calder of Fairport, NY; six grandchildren: Jonathan McBride, Joshua McBride, Kayla McBride, Brian McBride and his wife Kerry (Nana was blessed to be able to attend their wedding this past September), Christopher McBride and Barry McBride; a great-grandson, Connor McBride; a dear friend, Donna McBride, and many wonderful friends that she loved so dearly.
Helen was predeceased by a brother, John Calder, and a stepbrother, Ralph Phillips.
The family would like to thank the D'Amour Cancer Center in Springfield for their fantastic care during Mom's treatment. Also, Jackie and Melissa of Hospice of Franklin County and the rest of the staff, you all have been wonderful to Mom and we can't say enough. Thank you!
Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us everyday,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
So loved, so missed, so very dear.
Visiting hours will be Saturday, June 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 40 Church St., Shelburne Falls.
Funeral services will be Sunday, June 22, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne. A reception will follow in the Shelburne Grange Hall.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Helen's name may be sent to the First Congregational Church of Shelburne "Music Fund", c/o Cindy Smith, 22 Church Commons Road, Shelburne, MA 01370 or Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Greenfield, MA 01301
To send a message of condolence to the family, please visit: www.smithkelleherfuneralhome.com