1946 – 2014
LEWISTON — Helen Louise Grondin, 67, of Lewiston, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning, Feb. 5, in her sleep.
She was born in Portland on Dec. 3, 1946, the daughter of Herbert W. and Dorothy F. (Meader) Swift. She was raised in Sagamore Village, and attended Lincoln Junior High School in Portland and Edward Little High School in Auburn. Helen was a hard worker and held employment at local shoe shops and the Country Kitchen Bakery; she retired in 2000. She met Rosaire R. Grondin in 1964; they were married in Sacred Heart Church in Auburn on Nov. 12, 1966.
Helen was an impressionable, very outgoing and quick-witted individual. She had the “Luck o’ the Irish,” loved to dance and was always ready for a good time. She was also known as “Helen Doll” and “Ya-yatz”.
She was raised on big band swing, with such artists as Frank Sinatra, Jack Jones, Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few. Soul music, including The Whispers, Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston, was also played often.
Helen loved the Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins. She enjoyed attending her grandson, Cole’s, hockey and tennis games. Helen loved to cook and made an excellent Italian sauce. She also loved to garden and sun bathe, and always had a nice tan going during the summer months.
She leaves to cherish her memory and mourn her loss, her husband and soul mate of 47 years, Rosaire R. Grondin; one son and best friend, Roger P. Grondin; one daughter, Dottie M. (Carl) Ouellette; two special grandsons, Cole Ouellette and Logan Harmon, all of Lewiston; eight sisters, Alice (David) Dicenso, Arlene (Tony) Leo of South Portland, Margaret (Bobby) King of Lewiston, Shirley (Michael) Ward, Mary Frances Swift of South Portland, Rosemary (Michael) Sampson of Vacaville, Calif., Cathleen (Norris) Eastman and Nancy (Rick) Mackie of South Portland; six brothers, Mike Swift of Gorham, Herbie Jr. (Peg) Swift of South Portland, Bobby (Jackie) Swift of Norfolk, Va., Johnny (Elsie) Swift of South Portland, Billy (Michelle) Swift of Paradise Valley, Ariz., and Peter Swift of South Portland; as well as 23 nieces and nephews; and many cousins and good friends.
Godspeed “Helen Doll,” you’ll be forever in our hearts. Rest well, ’til we meet again.
Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com.
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- Helen L. Grondin
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