Helen Caswell

SOUTH ROYALTON- Helen Sarah Eddy (Gage) Caswell, 87, died Monday morning, July 23, 2007 at her home on Happy Hollow Road.

She was born in Randolph, October 18, 1918, the daughter of Perry William Eddy and Cora Belle Williams. Her father died when she was a child and the family moved to Chelsea in 1934, where she graduated from high school in 1938.

At the age of 20, she married Raymond Henry Gage, on November 4, 1939, and they made their home in Randolph. In 1945 they moved to Happy Hollow in South Royalton and operated a dairy farm until 1955, when it was sold in preparation for a trip to California where Ray planned to work at a lumber mill. They joined dear friends Henry and Bea Dodge who had gone earlier to live and work at the lumber camp.

Helen and Ray returned to South Royalton in 1956 and made their home in the village and purchased the Robert C. Paine home on North Windsor Street. It was during this time that they sold "Paine's Beach" to the Lion's Club organization in 1970. In 1947, they adopted a baby girl of six months, Carole Ann. They were divorced in December of 1964. Helen later married Charles Cleveland Caswell on August 28, 1965 in Sharon. They lived in South Royalton village and later built a log home in Happy Hollow in 1986.

She commuted by train to Bethel, where she worked as a waitress. She also worked as a clerk at the former Belmain's Department Store in Randolph. After moving to South Royalton, she was a clerk for many years at Welch Brother's hardware, then located "on the block" in South Royalton village, and at Bohonnon's (later Freck's) Department Store. In addition to working outside the home and assuming the duties of a farmer's wife, she cared for her husband's mother, Lucy, and her mother, Cora Bell, in her home prior to their deaths.

She was a former member of the United Church of Chelsea and the United Church of South Royalton before transferring her membership to the First Congregational Church of Royalton. She remained a devoted member of the church until her death, held many offices, served on countless committees and held the position of clerk for over 25 years. She had also been a volunteer worker at the South Royalton Area Senior Center.

She joined the Ideal Rebekah Lodge #70 on May 22, 1945 and was a loyal member for more than 62 years. She held many "chairs," including Noble Grand, an office she held several times; in 1988- 89, was president of the Rebekah Assembly of Vermont, was a past member of the Past Officer's Association, I.O.O.F. and served on various committees in support of the Gill Odd Fellow's Home in Ludlow.

She loved animals, especially her horse and her dogs. She enjoyed going out for rides, dining out, attending the senior center meals and attending worship services at her church, playing cards and working on jigsaw puzzles. She also loved music, especially old hymns.

Survivors include her daughter, Carole Ann Dermondy of South Royalton; a step-son, Randall B. Caswell of Tunbridge; a stepdaughter, Maureen Caswell of Greenwich, Conn.; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Friends may call Thursday evening, July 26, from 5-7 p.m. at the Boardway & Cilley Funeral Home in Chelsea. Services by the Rebekah Lodge will be held at 5:30 p.m. that evening. Funeral series will be held Friday, July 27 at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Royalton, with Richard Dumont officiating. Burial will follow in the River View Cemetery in South Royalton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the S-O-S (Save Our Steeple) Fund, First Congregational Church of Royalton, P.O. Box 804, South Royalton, Vt. 06068; or to the South Royalton Rescue Squad, c/o Corinne Ingraham, Roberts Road, South Royalton, Vt. 05068.