FORT FAIRFIELD - Helen G. DeMerchant, 100, wife of the late Donald L. DeMerchant, passed away Thursday evening, Sept. 4, 2008, at the home of her daughter, Carolyn, with her family by her side after a short illness. She was born Sept. 8, 1907, in Millville, New Brunswick, the daughter of Walter and Gertrude (Urguhart) Kennedy. Millville was Mom's home for 13 years before her father moved the family to Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, where he built their new home. After graduating from high school in 1926, she graduated from Victoria Public Hospital Training School for Nurses, Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1929. Her first job was in Quincy, Mass., then she moved to Fort Fairfield in 1932, where she worked at Community General Hospital until her retirement. There she met her husband, Donald, while caring for his mother. They were married Aug. 1, 1934, at Plaster Rock Baptist Church. Mom's life was full of experiences and we all loved her stories, like her love for cats and how she would dress them in doll cloths and give them rides in the doll carriage. She loved to go to dances at Arthurette, but her dad always showed up early to see her home or meet her on the doorstep with the lantern in his nightshirt, waving for her to come in when a friend would walk her home. Her trips on the Canadian Pacific Railroad to Fredericton with her father, the conductor, was a great time, especially shopping before returning home. She loved being a nurse and taking care of others when needed. The experiences she had working the night shift were fun to hear with a lot of laughs. She worked hard to care for us, and even more so after Dad's death at the age of 42. She continued that care right into our adult lives and with the lives of our children. Her care and outreach to others were shown by sending cards for all occasions or by a telephone call. Upon retiring from nursing at the age of 70, she enjoyed many bus tours throughout the U.S. and Canada. She loved to go to gospel concerts. Meeting Daniel O'Donnell, her favorite singer, during his 2007 Spring Concert in Bangor was quite a treat for her. She loved to play bingo and having her friends in to play Kings In The Corner. Cooking was a specialty for her family with homemade breads, donuts and special desserts each week. Her favorite pastime was reading and crocheting, which she enjoyed right up to her illness. Her afghans are enjoyed by family and friends. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Fort Fairfield, for more than 60 years and belonged to Missions Society, Sunshine Club and Seniority Group. She looked forward to her weekly shopping trips on the ARTS bus to Presque Isle. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald DeMerchant, Jan. 7, 1953; son, Gary DeMerchant in 2008; brother, Douglas Kennedy; granddaughter, Tammy Verne; and son-in-law, Harvey Kelley. She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and Vernie Oakes of Bristol, Conn., Donna and William LaRue of Richmond and Carolyn Kelley of Caribou; her half brother, Blair Kennedy and his wife, Ann, of Fredericton, New Brunswick; sister-in-law, Doris Kennedy of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by all her family and friends. Our family would like to thank Ricky Boulier for being a special friend and handyman to Mom. A special thanks to Hospice of Aroostook staff for their wonderful care they gave Mom for the past few weeks. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. The funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the funeral home with Pastor Lawrence Beals officiating. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A celebration of Helen's life with refreshments will be held at VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield, immediately after the interment service. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. DeMerchant to Visiting Nursing of Aroostook, P.O. Box 688, Caribou, ME 04736 or Fort Fairfield Public Library, 339 Main St., Fort Fairfield, ME 04742.