HELEN MARGARET ROBERTSON BOWERS

VERGENNES — Helen Margaret Robertson Bowers, 84, of Vergennes passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Dec. 21, 2024. Helen was a loving, devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She was a very intelligent, clear thinker and a very kind, thoughtful person to everyone.

She was born in New York City at Fordham hospital on Nov. 28, 1940. She grew up in the Bronx with her mother, aunt, uncles and cousins in an apartment complex. She attended public school there. Helen graduated from St. Michaels Academy in “Hell’s Kitchen” in New York City in 1959 with exceptional secretarial skills. She was quickly hired by Scudder Stevens and Clark Investment Counselors and spent several years there.

In her spare time, Helen was a volunteer hostess at Cardinal Spellman’s Servicemen’s Club in the city. There she met an Army musician by the name of Bill Bowers. In a year’s time Helen and Bill were married in Passaic, N.J., on July 1, 1967. They moved to a small apartment in Orange, N.J. Helen continued to commute to work in NYC and Bill took a teaching position in the West Orange Public School system.

Two years of living among race riots, muggings and robbery soon sent them on their way to Vermont. They settled in New Haven. Bill was hired by the Vergennes and Mt. Abe. High Schools to teach music. Helen went to work at Standard Register in Middlebury and then at IBM in Essex Jct. Helen and Bill then moved to Monkton for a better commute for her work.

Helen was an exceptional secretary for several comptrollers and for the medical department while there. She retired from IBM and accepted an office management position for our good friend Mel Simmons, optician. With the birth of our grandchildren, Helen left her job and devoted time to providing child care for them. Helen adored her grandchildren and was happiest being around them. Helen also loved plants of all types, as is evident in the gardens and beautiful flowers that surrounded their home of 40 years in Monkton and again when they moved to Vergennes. Helen was also a volunteer at the Vergennes Food Shelf, using her organizational skills to help keep things running smoothly.

Helen is survived by her husband, William T. Bowers; two sons, J. William Bowers (Heidi) and Christopher A. Bowers (Jennifer); and four grandchildren, Aidan, Aislin, Megan and Liam.

There will be no visiting hours. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, at Vergennes Congregational Church with a reception after.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester and the Vergennes Food Shelf. ◊