Helen Rebecca (Dey) MacMeekin of West Hartford passed away peacefully on March 17, 2015 at the age of 97. Born in Cranford, New Jersey on March 6, 1918 she was the second child of Mary B. and Elmer Dey. She was blessed with a long and purposeful life. Helen was raised in Cranford with her older sister Mary Jane Rosencrantz who predeceased her. Educated in the Cranford public schools she went on to graduate from the Katherine Gibbs School in New York City in 1937 and began a career as a secretary. In 1939 she married Thomas MacMeekin, her next-door neighbor and long time sweetheart. They moved to several different locations for Tom’s career and eventually settled in West Hartford in 1953. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary shortly before her husband’s passing in January of 2015. During her lifetime Helen touched many lives, made countless friends and made many contributions to the community. She and her husband were instrumental in the establishment of the Red Oak Swim Club in Farmington as well as the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford. She was a devoted volunteer for many organizations including her church, the McAuley, Meals on Wheels and the Cub Scouts. She spent over thirty years driving for the Red Cross Motor Service. She made lasting friendships wherever she went. Helen’s greatest love was her family who was central to everything in her life. She took great pride in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was gifted in all manner of handcrafts including rug hooking and braiding, knitting, sewing, embroidery and quilting. She created many heirloom pieces that her family cherishes. She was also a wonderful cook and organizer and spent many hours planning family gatherings to bring those most important to her together.
She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas and Jeannie of Wiltshire, England, David and Colleen of Newington, and Don and Dorrie of Enfield, NH, seven granddaughters and ten great- grandchildren. The family would especially like to thank the caring staff of St. Mary’s West Two for the wonderful care they provided to Helen during the last few years. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 A.M. on Friday April 10, 2015 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Westminster Memorial Fund, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06107 or to the McAuley Resident Assistance Fund, 275 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT 06117. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.