1924 – 2015
AUBURN — Helen K. Franck, 90, of Auburn, died Saturday afternoon, June 6, at home surrounded by her loving children.
She was born in Waterville on July 19, 1924, a daughter of William and Mary (McGinnis) Kervin. Helen graduated as valedictorian of Waterville High School at age 16 with perfect attendance.
After high school, Helen worked at Central Maine Railroad for seven years where she met her future husband, Lester J. Franck, after his return from World War II. They were married on Oct. 5, 1947, at Sacred Heart Church in Waterville.
Helen and Lester moved to Auburn, where Helen worked in the office at Belgrade Shoe and met her lifelong friend, Jane Longway. Later, Helen worked 21 years for the Lewiston Sun Journal as a keypunch operator and proofreader until her retirement at age 65. She also volunteered as a typist for the New Gloucester News for several years.
Helen was a longstanding member of Sacred Heart Church in Auburn. She sang in the choir and was a past president and secretary of the Golden Age Club. Helen led the church’s outreach program to distribute holiday baskets for several years.
She was an original member of her beloved Thursday morning prayer group that met every week at the home of Shelley Harris.
Helen loved to read and was a competitive Skip-Bo player. She also loved to play pinochle with her husband, Lester; her sisters; and brothers-in-law. She and Lester enjoyed spending all of their summers together at their wonderful cottage on Sabbathday Lake.
Helen leaves behind her sons, Brian of Auburn and Stephen of Sacramento, Calif.; daughter, Kathleen Hammond of Auburn; daughter, Karen Hodgson and husband, Al, of Garden Grove, Calif.; grandson, Douglas Hammond; and great-granddaughter, Lily; grandson, Matthew Hammond and his family, Danielle and Ava; her sister, Elaine Snow of Winslow; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Lester; one sister, Virginia Gager; her parents; brothers-in-law, Everett Gager and Kenneth Snow; a nephew, William Snow; and her three loving cats, Muffin, Tiger and Dinah.
Helen’s family would like to thank her special angels from Beacon Hospice, who took such wonderful care of her over the past two years, especially Jaimie “Cutie Pie” Lefebvre, her personal care assistant.
You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with Helen’s family by visiting their online guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.
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