Helen Harlow

Helen Harlow, 89, of Lyman, died March 2 at The Renaissance in Biddeford following a lengthy illness.She was born in Lyman on January 5, 1916, a daughter of Will and Neva (Ricker) Merrill. She was raised in Lyman, attended local schools and was a graduate of the former Farmington Normal School.She lived in Portland for a while and moved back to Lyman in the 1960's.She taught school in Boothbay Harbor for a while and then was employed with Owen Moore in Portland, for 25 years, starting out as a clerk and working her way up to buyer. She took a bus back and forth to work, obtaining her driver's license in the 1960's.Family members recalled how meticulous, neat and tidy her home was with beautiful flower gardens. She also had a nice summer cottage on Cape Elizabeth. They also remembered her as an independent woman who still mowed her own lawn late in life even after losing her eyesight.She was a member of the Lyman Neighbors, a local sewing and knitting club that did work for Camp Waban. She traveled extensively throughout the New England states.Her husband, Arthur Harlow, whom she married in 1937, died in 1974.Survivors include a sister, Marguerite Spence of Rochester, NH, 6 nieces, Hope Bragdon of Lyman, Brenda Meserve of Saco, Cindy Radey of Rochester, NH, Gayle Lucaw of Newfields, NH, Karen Moore of Florida, Kathy Olive of Virginia, 4 nephews, Robert Spence of Washington state, Brian Thompson of California, Karl Thompson of York, Billy Thompson of North Carolina and several grand nieces and nephews.An hour of visitation will be held at 1 PM on Monday at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, with a funeral service to follow at 2 PM with the Rev. Phyllis MacDonald officiating. Burial will be in the spring in Chadbourne Cemetery in Lyman.Memorial contributions may be made to the Goodwins Mills Fire and Rescue, 481 Goodwins Mills Road, Lyman, ME 04005.