Helen Bishop Sargent - Obituary

Helen Bishop Sargent, 86, of St Johnsbury, passed away after a period of declining health at NVRH in St. Johnsbury on Nov. 12, 2018.

Helen was born on Feb. 28, 1932 in Granby, Vt. to Henry Caleb Bishop and Vera Blanche (Shores).

In 1948, she married Melvin Reed Hale and they raised nine children together in the Barnet, Vt. area. Later In life, Helen made her home in the Littleton, N.H. area and married George Hosea Sargent in 1997. After George’s death, Helen moved to Concord, Vt. full-time and spent each summer at her second home, close to her family homestead on Shores Hill in Granby.

She received her Nurse Assistant Certificate on Aug. 31, 1979 and spent many years working as a care provider until her retirement at the age of 79, from the Daughters of the Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Inc. in Littleton, N.H.

Helen was very active up until her recent illness. She was an avid gardener and spent hours planting and caring for her many gardens. She was a lifetime knitter and created beautiful handmade gifts for her family and friends. Her many talents included writing poetry, drawing, crafting and journaling her life. In recent years, as a gifted songwriter she would often play the organ and sing with her bands “Helen and Friends” and “The Country Ramblers”. Helen and her bands traveled and spent many hours volunteering to sing and play at retirement homes and many other musical venues where she also loved to socialize.

Helen is survived by her nine children, Linda A. Choate of Barnet, Vt.; Carolyn L. Bigelow (Robert) of Passumpsic, Vt.; Melvin E. Hale (Lana) of St Johnsbury, Vt.; Donald A. Hale (Debra) of Burke, Vt.; Michael G. Hale (Margaret) of Barnet, Vt.; Timothy L. Hale (Dianah) of St Johnsbury, Vt.; Thomas A. Hale (Claire) of Concord, Vt.; Jeffrey R. Hale (Carol) of Danville, Vt.; Debra M. Hale of St Johnsbury, Vt.

Twenty-three Grandchildren: Kelly, Jeremy, Jodi, Michael, Ryan, Jennifer, Nicholas, Sadie, Molly, Daniel, Nathaniel, Jessica, Elizabeth, Zachary, Travis, Beth, Heather, Kathleen, Jillian, Michelle, Maegan, Gunther, Mark.

Thirty Eight Great Grandchildren: Andereck, Haley, Riley, Dakota, Madison, Devon, Lucy, Alice, Damon, Dylan, Jackson, Ella, Lindsay, Mia, Zachary, Connor, Cecelia, Lucas, Kennedy, Lance, Luna, Ezekial, Isaiah, Noah, Juniper, Zander, Briella, Carter, Bronson, Mason, Jase, Olivia, Becca, Dylan, Derek, Rileigh, Maddie, Jadence.

Three Great Great Grandchildren: Alexander, London, Lacey and a fourth on the way.

A Brother: Lee E Bishop of Concord, Vt.; Sisters: Marjorie V. Marcy of St Johnsbury, Vt. and Marilyn E. Burke of Lancaster, N.H. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Helen was predeceased by her Parents, Spouses and Brothers: Henry C Bishop, Harold A Bishop, Sister: Mary Alice Smith, Son in-law: James H Choate, Great Grandson: Gunnar M. Hale.

A graveside service and a celebration of Helen’s life will be held at a later date in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to organizations close to the family’s heart. www.AMC.org or S.I.D.S. Institute www.sids.org.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com.