Hartland, VT- Helen Evelyn Shumway, 81, also of Thetford Center, VT died August 6, 2011 at her daughter's home in Hartland, VT, after a long and happy life.

She was born February 12, 1930 in Post Mills, VT, the daughter of Arthur and Evelyn (Barker) Chaplin. She attended the Post Mills Elementary School and the Thetford Academy. She was a hard worker and held several jobs outside of the house including Carters Apparel in Lebanon, Granit Glove, Brookside Nursing Home both in White River Junction, VT and as a housekeeper and a caretaker in the Thetford Area. She also operated a home childcare center.

Helen was a member of the Jehovah's Witness Congregation of Lebanon, NH. She loved to spend time in the kitchen cooking and baking. She was well known for her fudge, chocolates and donuts that she would give to friends. She also enjoyed Gardening, sewing, picking berries, watching birds and wildlife. She loved her family was loved by all that knew her.

Helen is predeceased by three husbands, Francis "Bud" Shumway, Gail Gardner, and Gordon Shumway; a great-granddaughter Vanessa Burke; two brothers, Dickie and Dean Chaplin.

She is survived by a sister Frances Bragg of Thetford Center; her children, Audrey Bowley of Hartland, Theodore F. Shumway of East Thetford, VT, Valerie Stone of West Fairlee, VT and Kelly Gardner of Thetford Center, VT and twelve grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.

A visitation will be held at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, VT Saturday, August 13, 2011 for 10AM – 11AM followed by a memorial service at the funeral home. A second memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall in Lebanon, NH also on Saturday at 1PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Bayada Hospice, PO Box 1590,Norwich, VT 05055 or to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses 57 Daisy Hill Rd Lebanon, NH 03766