Helena E. Vander-Heyden

Helena E. “Lena” Vander-Heyden, 81, lifelong resident of Wilton, NH, died on June 14, 2018 at St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua, NH. She was born in New Boston, NH, on December 20, 1936, a daughter of Frank and Mary (Muzzey) Burbee. She was raised and educated in Wilton and graduated from Wilton High School, Class of 1954. She had been employed at the Chalet Suisse International as an executive secretary for many years. Lena was a long-time communicant of the former Sacred Heart Church, Wilton, and later St. Patrick’s Church, Milford. She was a member of St. Michael and the Nine Choir of Angels S.F.O. In addition, she was a founding member of the Souhegan Valley Association for the Handicapped, now known as Opportunity Networks. Lena was a loving mother, a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother whose greatest joy came from spending time with her family, serving her church, and supporting her community. It was not uncommon to find her caring for Sacred Heart parishioners, watering flowers downtown Wilton, or in the stands enjoying local school events. She was predeceased by a brother, Frank Burbee Jr.; and two sisters, Yvonne Rines and Marjorie Larpenter; and her former husband, Andre F. Vander-Heyden. Family members include a son and daughter-in-law, Scott and April Vander-Heyden of Milford, NH; five daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Kevin Cheever of Wilton, NH, Denise “Denny” Vander-Heyden of Milford, NH, Deborah and Leo Maloney of Wilton, NH, Sandra and Dennis Bridgeman of Tuftonborough, NH, and Kristin and Chip Wagner of Chichester, NH; 21 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; a sister, Diana Poodiack of Peterborough, NH; a brother, Frederick Burbee of Warner, NH; a sister-in-law, Jane Provins of Brookline, NH; and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours are on Monday, June 18th from 4:00-7:00p in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11:00 am in Divine Mercy Parish, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wilton, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Milford Special Needs Group, 6 Verona Street, Milford, NH 03055.