Helen M. (Healy) Milley

She was a 12th generation descendant of William Nickerson, one of the founders of Chatham, and a 14th generation descendant of Elder William Brewster, who arrived here on The Mayflower.

She was born on May 15th, 1923 in Westport, MA to Milton P. Healy and Ella Madeline (Eldridge) Healy, the oldest of 6 children, and lived most of her life in Chatham, except for a few years when the family moved to Westport, MA where she was living when the hurricane of 1938 devastated the area. The family then moved back to Chatham where she attended high school and excelled in secretarial courses. She graduated from Chatham High School and then worked at Acme Laundry, and was a teller at Chatham Trust Company.

In July of 1944 she married her husband Cliff, whom she met when he was in the US Navy, stationed in Chatham during WWII. They lived in Cambridge MA until he was sent overseas to fight the war in the Pacific, at which time she returned to Chatham to stay with her family. After his return they built their house in town, and she took on the job of bookkeeper for the family business, Milley Trucking. After she was widowed, she was employed by the Chatham police department as secretary and bookkeeper until her retirement.

She became an Episcopalian when she married, and remained an active member of the church, attending The Church of the Holy Spirit in Orleans, and then became one of the first parishioners of St. Christopher’s Church in Chatham, where she taught Sunday School, was a member of the altar guild, the assistant treasurer, and an Acolyte mother. She was also a member of the Council on Aging and the Creative Arts Center, and a den mother and Girl Scout leader.

In her retirement years she became an accomplished landscape and portrait artist and her paintings adorn many of her children and grandchildren's walls. She was an avid reader, wrote poetry, and never missed her daily walk.

Like many women of her generation in New England, she was self-taught, and very independent, when she wanted to learn something new, nothing could hold her back! She inspired us all with her creativity, determination, work ethic, courage, optimism, and love of family.

She was predeceased by her sisters, Jean, and Phyllis, her brothers, James, and Arthur, an infant brother, Milton and 2 half-sisters, Nancy and Janice. She was also predeceased by her husband, Cliff, and a son Hubert C. Milley Jr. She is survived by her children, Jennifer J. Johnston and Bob, Rebecca M. Davis and Chris, Timothy S. Milley and Patrice, Peter B. Milley and Leila, 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great, great grandson.

There are no calling hours, and a private graveside service will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eldredge Public Library, 564 Main St., Chatham, MA 02633.

The family would also like to express their appreciation for the loving care Helen received at Pleasant Bay Nursing facility.

For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com