White River Jct, VT- Mrs. Helen May Burnham Luce passed away on Thursday February 23 at her home. Helen was born March 25, 1920 in Royalton, Vermont, the daughter of Wayne Morris Burnham and Effie May (Harrington) Burnham. Helen May Burnham married Albert Lawrence Luce on September 11, 1938 and remained married for sixty-four years until Albert's death on December 7, 2002.
In addition to her husband Albert Lawrence Luce, Helen is predeceased by a grandson: Jeremy Luce, nine brothers: Morris, Vernon, Roy, Eldred, Stanley, Hazen, Wendell, Earl and Reginald Burnham; two sisters: Hazel Therriault and Hilda Smith; and a daughter-in-law: Sue Luce. Of Helen's fourteen siblings she is survived by two brothers and one sister: Roger and Fay Burnham, both of White River Junction, Vermont and Katherine Vaughan of East Montpelier, Vermont. Helen raised her seven children in White River Junction, Vermont. She is survived by two daughters, five sons: Barbara Bugbee of White River Junction, Vermont; Lawrence "Larry" Luce and his wife Betsy Taftsville, Vermont; Carol Hardy and her husband Dwight; Arland Scott Luce; Richard Mike Luce; Clayton Luce and his wife Wendy all of White River Junction, Vermont; Christopher Luce and his wife Linda of Thetford, Vermont. Helen's survivors include thirteen grandchildren: Cherrie Torrey and her husband Norm, Cathy Willey and her husband Scott, Jeff Luce, Ralph Luce and his wife Lisa, Jennifer Fielder and her husband Todd, Nathaniel Luce, Adrian Luce, Nicholas Luce, Angela Walker and her husband Joe, Matthew Luce and his wife Leslie, Michael Luce, Joshua Hardy and his wife Liz, and Maegan Luce. She had nineteen great grandchildren: Trever Phelps and his wife Janet, Nina Phelps, Amber Torrey, Rachel Torrey, Elizabeth Luce, Tim Luce, Sierra Luce, Talon Luce, Melissa Luce, Justin Luce, Eric Fielder, Nathan Walker, Natalie Walker,Landon Luce, Emily Luce, Jacob Luce, Ella Hardy, Annabelle Hardy, and Grayson Luce. Mrs. Luce had a great-great grandchild: Blake Phelps. Helen and Albert Luce operated a dairy farm along the Connecticut River beginning in the 1945. Helen was a devoted homemaker and an accurate bookkeeper. She enjoyed canning garden vegetables, making cucumber pickles and balancing the books to the penny. She baked delicious breads, rolls, pies and cookies. Helen sold eggs and vegetables in the local community.
For many years Mrs. Luce operated the school bus in the family station wagon along the Connecticut River Road, transporting the neighborhood children to the Hartford schools. Family was most important to Helen. She raised her seven children, cared for many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She provided end of life care for her husband Albert and her sister Hazel. She provided child care in her home for other families. We are inspired by her vibrant spirit and know that she now dwells in paradise. A graveside committal service will be held in the Hartford cemetery Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 2PM. The Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., VT has been entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to David's House, PO Box 660, Lebanon, NH 03766.