Helen Grace (Lester) Wakefield

FAIRFIELD – Helen Grace (Lester) Wakefield died peacefully surrounded by her family on Dec. 20, 2021. Helen was born on May 17, 1938, the fourth of seven children born to Helen and James Lester. At the time of her birth, her family lived in Norcross, Maine where Helen developed her love of nature and storytelling.

As a young child, Helen’s family relocated to Long Island where her visceral connection with the sea originated. Helen’s fondest memories and best stories described her exploration of the coastline and island woods of Casco Bay with both human and animal co-conspirators.

As an adult, Helen was a self-directed, fiercely independent woman and lifelong experiential learner. She developed successful careers as a real estate broker, house flipper, financial manager, sport fishing boat crew member, professional baker, restaurateur, head of the chamber of commerce in Calais, Maine, entrepreneur, and assistant director of an adoption agency.

Her interests included studying the Bible, painting, camping, hiking, gardening, walking the Maine woods and shoreline, completing home renovations, hunting, fishing, kayaking and becoming a published author in her late 70s. Helen travelled extensively and traversed the Great Wall of China. She was an advocate for the elderly and volunteered spiritual comfort to hospital patients and their families. Helen was an active member of the Getchell Street Baptist Church.

Helen was generous, funny, occasionally mischievous, and rarely idle. She ignored pre-established barriers, was a role model for resiliency and valued faith, self-determination, independence and education. She supported her children and grandchildren’s hobbies and careers as equestrians, automobile enthusiasts, gardeners, artists, scientists, hunters and fishermen.

Helen is predeceased by her parents and her siblings Eddy, Shirley, Charlie, Patrick, Hilda and Angeline. She held her memories of them close to her heart and they live on in her stories, as do the friends and animal companions who predeceased her. She is survived by her three children, Grace, James and Rebecca and their respective families, including her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to her family, Helen had a close group of loyal friends that included Norma, Sally, Real and Mike. She entrusted the care of her faithful dog “Miss Joy” to her friend and neighbor, Real. Helen appreciated her friends, church family and business associates whose presence made her life richer.

A springtime celebration of her life will take place near the sea on a date to be determined.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME. To express condolences or share stories, please visit http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Getchell Street Baptist Church at

3 Getchell Street

Waterville, Maine 04901.