Helen Andrews Fehlau died July 2, 2015.

She was born Mariette Helen Andrews on January 16, 1918, the fourth daughter of Ethel Rollins Andrews and Harry Andrews. Her three older sisters, Ruby, Clara and Dorothy awaited her birth at home in Auburn. The winter of 1918 was the time of the Spanish flu, and her father Harry died from the pandemic when Helen was just an infant. Her mother Ethel worked full-time to support the family, however, it became too difficult and Helen went to live with her grandparents, Frank and Ester Rollins in Sabattus. She often reflected on simple life with her grandparents. At age 6, her mother remarried and Helen moved back with her mother and stepfather in Auburn on Summer Street; a large home which she often enjoyed viewing on trips to the family cemetery at Mt. Auburn. She would pause and speak of the double parlor, where at Christmas time the tree was placed in the cool parlor near the front windows.

Helen dedicated her career to teaching. She was a 1936 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn, and a 1939 graduate from the University of Maine at Farmington. She went on to receive her master’s degree from the University of Maine at Orono.

She taught in several schools systems in Maine, and her favorite position was teaching second grade. Helen thrived on the curiosity and vitality of those young children ages 7 or 8. Her elementary school teaching career lasted more than 35 years, and in semi-retirement she continued for a decade as a student teacher supervisor for new teachers around the greater Portland area. She helped them fine–tune their craft, and put the finishing touches on the skills necessary to succeed as educators.

She was married to Freeman Berry and was blessed by daughters Lois-Jean and Elizabeth. Many of their summers were spent in a lovely cottage on Bailey Island. She later married Yngurd Fehlau and welcomed the arrival of their son, John.

In her retirement, she was the perfect “snowbird,” enjoying more than 25 years of winters in her home in Bradenton, Florida, and summers in Boothbay Harbor. The last 10 years she lived in an apartment at St. Andrews Village.

Helen brought joy and laughter to the world and was always ready to offer the right words for any occasion. Among her many talents were writing, painting, reading and playing bridge. Her love and concern for others always outweighed her concern for herself. Helen brightened the lives of all those around her.

Helen was a Christian, her heart had been changed by the presence of God.

Helen is survived by daughter, Lois-Jean Berry and partner Linda Cavanaugh of Boothbay Harbor, daughter, Elizabeth Reed and husband Walter Reed, also of Boothbay Harbor, and son, John and wife Jennifer of Cumberland. She also leaves behind grandchildren, Joel Berry, Kimberli Gipson, Katherine “Kate” Fehlau and Alexander Edgecomb; and her great-grandchildren, Emily Gipson-Liberty, Cameron Berry and Zachary Spence.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, at St. Columba's Episcopal Church, 32 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, followed by a reception for family and friends at St. Andrews Village located at 145 Emery Lane (just up the hill from St. Columba’s). In lieu of flowers, it was Helen’s request that donations be made to the UMF scholarship fund to assist young teachers following her path.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, light a candle for Helen, or to share a story or pictures, visit her Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.