PORTLAND — Helen Mary Benesch Strauss died Tuesday, March 28, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Helen Mary Benesch Strauss, daughter of Blanche Koshland and Jerome Benesch, was a devoted wife of 54 years to Ned Heilbrun Strauss.

Helen will be sadly missed and forever remembered by children, Margery Strauss Stalch, Jerome Benesch Strauss and Robert William Strauss. She was grandmother to Michael Allen Eng, Richard Matthew Eng, Aaron Ben Strauss, Marc Daniel Strauss, Jesse Delois Strauss, Hannah Sarah Strauss and Rachel Elizabeth Strauss. She was great-grandmother to eight beautiful children, five girls and three boys.

Born in Baltimore, Md. on Oct. 16, 1926, a devoted sports fan, Helen was a constant presence at all of her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Helen served the Sisterhood at Temple Oheb Shalom in her hometown of Baltimore, Md., and drove and delivered for Meals on Wheels, also in Baltimore, for 30 years.

Helen and Ned Strauss purchased Camp Wigwam in South Waterford in the fall of 1964, and operated the prestigious boys’ camp for 10 years until handing the business operation to their youngest son, Bob, who directs the camp to this day.

Helen Strauss will be remembered as a vibrant and energetic “Camp Mother” to generations of young men at their summer camp on Bear Pond, and leaves many close friendships in southwestern Maine, in Baltimore, Md., and throughout the Camp Wigwam world.

Condolences and tributes may be shared with Helen’s family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

Helen M. Strauss