Helen M. (Roberts) Eldridge, 99, of Mattapoisett passed away on August 2, 2018 at the Atria Assisted Living in Fairhaven. She was the wife of the late E. Everett Eldridge and Kenneth W. Hirons.
Born in Chelsea, MA, she was the daughter of the late Andrew C. and Helen M. (Gohler) Roberts. Helen grew up in West Medford, lived in Ashland for several years and moved to Mattapoisett in 1955.
Helen graduated from Medford High School in 1937 and Katherine Gibbs in Boston, in 1939. Upon graduation from Katherine Gibbs, she worked as a secretary for an insurance business in Boston. During this same time period she also served as a nurse’s aide in the maternity ward of a hospital in West Medford. She married Kenneth W. Hirons in 1943. After moving to Mattapoisett, she was employed by the Peter P. Briggs Insurance Agency for many years until she retired.
Helen was an active member of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church for many years. She served as a Deacon and on many committees. She was a member of the Women’s Guild and the Couples Club and enjoyed singing in the church choir for over fifty years.
Helen married Everett Eldridge in 1976. They enjoyed traveling together, visiting Canada, Mexico, Europe, Bermuda, the islands of the Caribbean, Hawaii and many other areas of this country. She was an avid reader and loved reading non-fiction. She frequently worked on the crossword puzzle that came with the Boston Globe on Sundays. She spent many hours watching the news and kept up to date on events all around the world. She belonged to a senior bowling league in Mattapoisett, volunteered with the Mattapoisett Historical Commission and served as a docent at their museum.
The family would like to thank the residents and staff of Atria for their wonderful care and friendship. They would also like to thank Kindred Hospice, Home Instead Senior Care and MasterPeace for their compassion and support.
Helen is survived by her three daughters, Jean Hirons and her husband John Hansman of Rockville, MD, Carol Matthews and her husband Thomas of East Freetown and Marcia Cheever and her husband Paul of Mashpee; three step-children, Carolyn Price, Clifford Eldridge and Paul Eldridge; two grandsons, Andrew Matthews of Las Vegas, and Eric Matthews and his fiancé Jenny of San Diego. Helen also leaves behind her faithful feline companion Gracie.
She was the sister of the late Jean Roberts and mother of the late Kristin Hirons.
Her Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 25th at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Burial will be private and there will be no calling hours. Arrangements are with Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
