BLUE HILL — Helen Theodora Goodberlet died peacefully Sept. 26 at the Blue Hill Hospital.

She was born Sept. 27, 1925, in London Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Walter and Lena (Smith) Gleason. Helen attended Sir Adam Beck High School in London, Ontario, and was active in the performing arts.

Her singing talents were noticed by Ward French, president of Columbia Artists Management. At Ward’s suggestion, Helen traveled to New York City and continued her voice training at the New York College of Music under Blanch Blackman and Vittorio Trevisan. Helen eventually accepted a job with Paper Mill Play House, based in Milburn, N.J., which toured many U.S. cities.

Helen met Alphonse G. Goodberlet on a blind date and after an eight-year courtship they married. Alphonse served as a Navy fighter pilot during both WWII and the Korean War. After the close of the Korean War, Alphonse served at the Pentagon. He retired as a commander and they moved to Elm Glen Farm in Sumner, and raised four children.

Helen sang and was active at the Congregational Church of East Sumner and volunteered her sewing skills in the local 4-H program.

Helen and Al moved again to Blue Hill in 1984. Helen volunteered at the Bagaduce Music Lending Library, the Blue Hill Hospital, sang in the Bagaduce Chorale and helped start the TurnStyle Thrift store.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Alphonse, who passed in 2007. They were married over 50 years.

Helen is survived by her sister-in-law, Violet Gleason of Ontario, Canada; her four children, James Goodberlet and wife, Kathleen of Brighton, Mass., Joan Nataloni and husband, Francis of Wilbraham, Mass., Karen Cline and husband, Mark of Valdez, Ark., Mark Goodberlet and wife, Xian-Min of Belchertown, Mass.; her three grandchildren, David and Matthew Nataloni and Melanie Goodberlet; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Helen T. Goodberlet