F. Helen Harding
BREWER – F. Helen Harding, 89, died peacefully December 21, 2020 after a short battle with metastatic breast cancer, surrounded by her loving family at home. She was born on November 16, 1931 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, daughter of Winnifred (Shebib) Bennett and Francis (Frank) Nicholas Bennett (who had both emigrated from Lebanon).
Helen graduated from Holy Angels Convent, Sydney, Nova Scotia. After graduation, she worked in bookkeeping in Sydney for a few years before moving with her family to Watertown, Massachusetts in the early 1960’s. In 1965, she met the love of her life, Alan Harding at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere, Massachusetts while he was attending Rittner’s School of Floral Design in Boston.
Alan and Helen were married in 1966 and shortly afterwards, relocated to Alan’s hometown. They proceeded to open their first flower shop – Harding Florist in Brewer Maine. Over the years, they expanded their business until retirement in 1991. Helen was an active member of BPW (Business and Professional Women’s Club of Bangor), the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church Choir and the Kiwaniannes of Brewer.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by loving husband Alan Harding in 1996 and her 3 older sisters, Mary Bennett, Eva Everett (and Cecil Everett), and Louise Gillespie (and Ronald Gillespie). She is survived by her daughters; Patricia Harding-Usher and son in law Michael Usher of Crofton, Maryland, and Kathleen Harding-Heber and son in law Nicholas Heber of Orrington, Maine. In addition, she is survived by 6 grandchildren – Jennifer Battle, Sydney Usher, Alan Usher, Gregory Usher, Andrew Heber, and Christopher Heber and 3 grand-dogs – Maddy, Baxter, and Buddy. She was loved by many close nieces and nephews and special friends as well who came to spend some of her last days by her side.
Due to COVID restrictions, family and friends are welcome to briefly visit during her wake at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings Smith, 55 South Main St., 3 to 5 pm. on Sunday, December 27, 2020. A private funeral Mass will be held 10 am Monday December 28, 2020 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, York St., Bangor. For those unable to attend the live event due to state mandates, you may watch a live tribute at stpaulbangor.me/watch-mass-live. The family is hoping for a COVID free public burial in the spring.
Donations in Helen’s memory can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 13770 Noel Rd., Suite 801889, Dallas, TX. 75380, in honor of her two time battle with breast cancer and those in her family also affected.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
http://www.info-komen.org/site/TR/DIYFundraising/HeadquartersSite?px=25910606&pg=personal&fr_id=8186&fbclid=IwAR0etIfUHXN9yk-FiCFybn7kleJu0idrV-YgG9e4pi_K2HkfXlaypg0Wvog
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of F. Harding, please visit our flower store.
BREWER – F. Helen Harding, 89, died peacefully December 21, 2020 after a short battle with metastatic breast cancer, surrounded by her loving family at home. She was born on November 16, 1931 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, daughter of Winnifred (Shebib) Bennett and Francis (Frank) Nicholas Bennett (who had both emigrated from Lebanon).
Helen graduated from Holy Angels Convent, Sydney, Nova Scotia. After graduation, she worked in bookkeeping in Sydney for a few years before moving with her family to Watertown, Massachusetts in the early 1960’s. In 1965, she met the love of her life, Alan Harding at the Wonderland Ballroom in Revere, Massachusetts while he was attending Rittner’s School of Floral Design in Boston.
Alan and Helen were married in 1966 and shortly afterwards, relocated to Alan’s hometown. They proceeded to open their first flower shop – Harding Florist in Brewer Maine. Over the years, they expanded their business until retirement in 1991. Helen was an active member of BPW (Business and Professional Women’s Club of Bangor), the Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church Choir and the Kiwaniannes of Brewer.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by loving husband Alan Harding in 1996 and her 3 older sisters, Mary Bennett, Eva Everett (and Cecil Everett), and Louise Gillespie (and Ronald Gillespie). She is survived by her daughters; Patricia Harding-Usher and son in law Michael Usher of Crofton, Maryland, and Kathleen Harding-Heber and son in law Nicholas Heber of Orrington, Maine. In addition, she is survived by 6 grandchildren – Jennifer Battle, Sydney Usher, Alan Usher, Gregory Usher, Andrew Heber, and Christopher Heber and 3 grand-dogs – Maddy, Baxter, and Buddy. She was loved by many close nieces and nephews and special friends as well who came to spend some of her last days by her side.
Due to COVID restrictions, family and friends are welcome to briefly visit during her wake at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings Smith, 55 South Main St., 3 to 5 pm. on Sunday, December 27, 2020. A private funeral Mass will be held 10 am Monday December 28, 2020 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John’s Catholic Church, York St., Bangor. For those unable to attend the live event due to state mandates, you may watch a live tribute at stpaulbangor.me/watch-mass-live. The family is hoping for a COVID free public burial in the spring.
Donations in Helen’s memory can be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 13770 Noel Rd., Suite 801889, Dallas, TX. 75380, in honor of her two time battle with breast cancer and those in her family also affected.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.
http://www.info-komen.org/site/TR/DIYFundraising/HeadquartersSite?px=25910606&pg=personal&fr_id=8186&fbclid=IwAR0etIfUHXN9yk-FiCFybn7kleJu0idrV-YgG9e4pi_K2HkfXlaypg0Wvog
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