Helen Ruth (England) Kenison, age 81, of Salem, NH and Mattapoisett, MA died June 28, 2012 at Parkland Medical Center, Derry, NH.
Mrs. Kenison did clerical work at Stone and Webster Engineering Corporation, Boston, MA; Loom Weave, Lawrence, MA; National Security Agency, Ft. Meade, MD; and MFE Corporation, Salem, NH.
She was born in Cambridge, MA and graduated from Somerville High School class of ‘48’ and Bryant and Stratton, Boston, MA.
She was a member of Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, Salem, NH and served on many committees including President of United Methodist Women, Pastor Parish relations, Nominations, Flower Chairman, Vice President Women’s Society and Sunday School teacher (also in the Philippines and Germany).
She was Past Matron of Somerville Chapter No 206, Order of the Eastern Star in Massachusetts and member of Salem Chapter No 57, Salem, NH. She received the Rose Award for Recognition of Service Excellence by General Grand Chapter, Washington, DC. She served as the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls in both Germany and Salem, NH and received the Grand Cross of Color.
She was a volunteer at Salemhaven Nursing Home since 1987 and also volunteered at the VA Hospital, Manchester, NH. She was very active in the Young at Heart Program at the Salem Athletic Club for many years as well as Senior Friends at Parkland Medical Center, Derry, NH. As a member of the Salem Senior Center and the knitting club, she knitted slippers for service men and women. She also was part of the Friends of the Elderly, Mattapoisett, MA and a member of the Rockingham Rubies Red Hat Society, Salem, NH.
She loved doing picture puzzles, gardening and traveling with her husband and family throughout the fifty states and overseas. She was an avid bowler in military family leagues, the MFE Corporate team and in recent years as a member of the Senior Leagues at Park Place Lanes, Windham, NH.
She leaves her husband of 57 years, retired CW4 Damon W. Kenison Sr., son, Damon W. Kenison Jr. and wife Heather of NC and daughter and her husband, Mary Lou F. and Frederick H. Gould Jr. of NH. Brother, John A. England Jr. of NC. Four grandchildren; Damon W. Kenison III and wife Lynn of AR, Jamie M. Kenison of VA, Angela R. Normyle and husband Christopher of NH and Christopher M. Mata and wife Christina of NC. Six great grandchildren; Brady C. and Carter A. Normyle, Jonathan J. and Nathaniel N. Mata and Taylor and Michael Kenison as well as many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Pleasant United Methodist Church, 8 Pleasant Street, Salem, NH 03079, or a charity of one’s own choice.
Calling Hours were held on Monday, July 2, 2012 at Douglas and Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079.
Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. Burial followed at Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem, NH.