Helen B. Tanner

Helen B. Tanner

Scarborough, Maine – Helen B. (Barringer) Tanner, 91, passed peacefully at her home on June 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born January 29, 1935, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Walter Sr. and Helen (Silva) Barringer.

Helen was proud of her Charlestown, Massachusetts roots. Remembered fondly her summers on Nutting’s Lake in Billerica and her work with the Museum of Science in Boston. Helen devoted her life to her family and friends. She will be remembered for her kindness, graciousness and humility.  She was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed traveling with her husband, especially to his hometown in Nova Scotia, and exploring Boston with her grandchildren. She was an avid golfer and loved her golfing communities.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Philip R. Tanner; son, Mark Tanner; and several siblings and family members including Robert and Catherine, Walter Jr. and Joan, Paul, and Richard Barringer; Marjorie Langford; and John Finn, DMD. She is survived by her children, Carol Foster and her husband Carl, and Paul Tanner and his wife Debrah; grandchildren Meghan and Kaitlyn Foster, Carl Tanner, and Scott Tanner and his wife Rebekah; her sister, Rita Finn; sister-in-law, Martha Freeman; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to her care team at Piper Shores in Scarborough for their compassion and support.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at St. Francis de Sales Church, 303 Bunker Hill St., Charlestown, MA; the family be gathered at the church at 10:15am. Burial will be private at a later date at Glenwood Cemetery in Everett, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Portland Parks Conservancy, 212 Canco Rd., Suite A, Portland, Maine 04103 for the Portland Harbor Common in memory of Helen’s brother Richard.