Helen E. (Swenson) Ballou

It is with great sadness that the family of Helen Ballou announce her passing.  Helen lived in Woodstock, Connecticut where she raised her six children.  She was loving, thoughtful, resilient, earnest, honest, steadfast, and intelligent.  She was an avid reader, expert knitter, and great cook.

She was the daughter of Helen Layton Pendleton of Franklin, Massachusetts and Eitel Bernhard Nicanor Swenson (Svensson), a Freemason, who immigrated from Lysekil, Gothenberg, Sweden with his family via Ellis Island. 

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity.

She graduated as RN from the Memorial Hospital in Worcester MA and dedicated most of her career to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam CT, where she retired as Nurse Manager OB/GYN, Maternal Child Health.  She was a pioneer and instrumental in creating the first birthing center at Day Kimball Hospital.  She joined The Women’s Board in 1988, a past President and Director. 

She is survived by and her legacy continues in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Her children: Douglas Ballou of Spokane WA, Bruce Ballou Sr and his wife Amanda, Charleston SC, Derrah Ballou of South Deerfield MA, Brenda Ballou and her husband Patrick Messmer of Seward AK, Richard S Ballou II and his wife Tammy L of Woodstock CT; her grandchildren: Hope, Hunter, Bruce Jr, Adam, Mason, Louis, Preston, Madyson, Hailey, Alysse; her great-grandchildren:  Abigail, Barrett, Kiara, Nicanor, Nevaeh, Cave, Norah, Stella

She was predeceased by her daughter Barbara McKnight, her daughter in law Rebecca Ballou; her sister Barbara Smith, and her brother Ben Swenson.  She is survived by her brother and sister, Roy Swenson (wife Gail) of Douglas MA and Holly Morrissey (husband Ed, deceased) of Millbury MA.

Helen’s wishes were to have a private family ceremony.

Memorial donations may be made to the Burdick Birthing Center at Day Kimball Hospital, First Floor, Hale Medical Pavilion, 320 Pomfret Street, Putnam, CT 06260 (860) 928-6541 ext. 2247  ATT:  Kristen Willis

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Hartford Hospital for their care and compassion.

The Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home is assisting Helen’s family with funeral arrangements. A guest book is available at www.shaw-majercik.com where you may offer condolences, share fond memories, or light a candle in remembrance of Helen.

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