Helen Bowdoin Spaulding, born October 22, 1928 in New York City, passed away on November 5, 2016 at Falmouth-By-The-Sea in Falmouth Foreside, Maine, after suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease in recent years.  She will be remembered for living life to the fullest, bringing tremendous joy to her family and friends, and passionately working to improve her communities and world.

Before moving to Maine, Helen lived most of her adult life in Manchester, Massachusetts and in the greater Boston area.  She grew up in New York City and Washington, DC and attended Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginias.  Helen traveled extensively, visiting all seven continents and numerous interesting destinations such as Lebanon, Papua New Guinea, the Galapagos, Tanzania, and Svalbard, just to name a handful.  She created many happy memories over the years for family and friends on Vinalhaven Island, Maine.

Helen was a direct descendant of James Bowdoin, the second governor of Massachusetts and founder of Bowdoin College, as well as Alexander Hamilton, a founding father and first secretary of the treasury of the United States.  Public service and philanthropy were in her blood.  A partial listing of the organizations Helen served as a board member of include the New England Aquarium, Boston Foundation, Wang Center, Museum of Science, WGBH, Spaulding rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston University, Georgetown University, University of Vermont, Smithsonian Institution, World Wildlife Fund, conservation Law foundation, Woods Hole Research Center, and the Island Alliance.

Helen was not shy about showing her love and pride4 for her family.  Her husband, Josiah, was an admired leader of the moderate wing of the Massachusetts Republican Party in the 1960’s and 1970s, serving as the Chair of the Party and as the Party’s candidate for the United States Senate in 1970 and for Attorney general of Massachusetts in 1974.  He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps, partner of the Boston law firm of Bingham, Dana & Gould and President of the Massachusetts rehabilitation Hospital NOW Spaulding rehabilitation Hospital.  Her three sons remain active in their careers and communities in Boston, Vermont and Maine respectively.  Joe is CEO of the Boch Center in Boston, Jeb is the Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System, and Sandy is Managing Director of Hodgdon Yachts in Maine.  Helen is also survived by her two sisters, Aileen and Judy, Three daughters-in-law, eleven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Another of Helen’s passions was politics.  Vigorous “discussions” were a regular feature at her dinner table.  She passionately supported numerous forward thinking causes, and loved to recount her campaign adventures for her husband, Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Deval Patrick and her Vermont son’s campaigns for State Senate and State Treasurer.  She was proud to witness the election of our country’s first African American President and would have been ecstatic to know that, at long last, a woman has been elected president of the United States.

A memorial service for Helen will be held at the Spaulding rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 11:00 A.M.  All are welcome.  For those wanting to give in her honor, please commit a random act of kindness and make a donation to the Dr. Ross Zafonte research Fund at the Spaulding rehabilitation Hospital Development Office, 300 First Ave, Charlestown, MA 02129.

Helen’s family offers heartfelt thanks to the numerous aides and caregivers who assisted and comforted her at Fox Hill and Falmouth-By-The-Sea, as if she was a member of their own families.