Helen Piper

DAMARISCOTTA - Helen Deering Piper, 94, of Damariscotta died Friday, June 24, 2016. She was born in Bangor, Maine on April 30, 1922 to Arthur and Freda (Bowman) Deering. After Freda's death in 1924, she and her siblings were raised by her father and stepmother, Crystal (Bowman). She graduated from Orono High School in 1939. Helen attended the University of Maine where she was elected to the Sophomore Eagles and All Maine Women honorary groups. She graduated in 1943 with a major in Home Economics. Following graduation she taught Home Economics in Waldoboro, Me. from 1943-1945. In November 1944, she married Edward H. Piper while he was home on furlough from the US Army. Following his discharge in 1945, they moved to New Hampshire where she worked as a 4 H club agent. In the fall of 1945, the couple moved to Ithaca while Ed earned a master's degree from Cornell University. After graduate school they lived in Old Town and Caribou, until they settled in Orono in 1956 where Ed began a 26 year career at the University of Maine. Helen was a volunteer for the Orono Health Association, serving as the Chairman of the Health Association's Dental Clinic. She was also active in the Church of Universal Fellowship, teaching Sunday school and participating in the Fellowship Circle and Service Group. She also worked on the University of Maine reunion committees and other University functions for which she was awarded the Block M award. In the mid 1960's Helen took classes at the University to earn a Certificate in Library Science. This led to positions in the Asa Adams School library, the Orono Public Library and the Veazie School library. From 1980 - 1991 she and Ed cared for her mother in her elder years. They also traveled to several national parks, Hawaii, Scandinavia and to Pennsylvania and Georgia to visit children. Their Orono home was a place where grandchildren attending the University of Maine could come for a little personal attention, home cooking and a respite from dorm life. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Edward H. Piper, her brother, Robert Deering and her sisters, Mary Wirths and Marjorie Roberts. She is survived by daughters, Jean Meakin and her husband, Donald, of Round Pond and Crystal Slatick and her husband, Robert, of Harrisburg, Pa.; a son, Donald Piper and his wife, Cherie, of North Yarmouth; three grandchildren, Cory Piper and her partner Rand Smith of Nantucket, Stephen Piper and his wife, Megan, of Brunswick and Andrew Piper and his wife, Jennifer, of Nashua, N.H.; as well as two great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Elizabeth. In 2007 Helen and Ed moved to Chase Point, Damariscotta, to be nearer their children. In 2015 Helen moved to Cove's Edge, Damariscotta. The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation and gratitude to the employees of both of those facilities for the wonderful care they provided. A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2016 at Riverside Cemetery, Bennoch Road, Orono. Gifts in celebration of Helen may be made to the Helen D. and Edward H. Piper Page Farm and Home Museum Fund, payable to the University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792.