Helen Louise Gray Mann Hammond

92, of Tewksbury, passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Canton after a brief illness.

Helen was born in Chelsea on February 14, 1930 (a Valentine baby) and was raised in Everett. She was one of 10 children born to Marjorie Evelyn Nicholson Gray and James Franklin Gray. She graduated from Everett High School where she was in the glee club. Helen met her husband George Arthur Mann at the age of 18. They lived in Medford before moving to Burlington where they raised their family of 7 children. Helen was an accountant/bookkeeper for many years, retiring from Unifirst Corporation after 24 years. She was a member of Fellowship Bible church of Burlington. She shared her God given talents including teaching Sunday school and Vacation bible school, helping with AWANA groups, singing in the choir and was also the church treasurer for many years (before computers).

Helen was devoted to her family and enjoyed cooking for them, taking care of the home and working in the yard. She was a great cook. The family went on lots of outings together such as Revere Beach, Stone Zoo and picnics at the Sheepfold in Medford. She loved the Lawrence Welk show, game shows Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and cooking shows. She was an avid reader. She had a great memory and was the family historian.

Helen and George owned a 1935 Ford Phaeton and later a 1938 LaSalle. They joined the Klaxon antique car club and drove their classic antique cars in the Burlington Fourth of July parades with their grandchildren. They enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Mexico, Bermuda and Jamaica. They once traveled across the country in an RV with her brother Nelson and his wife June. They loved to dance, entertain and go to parties.

After George passed away suddenly in 1999, Helen lived alone but was fortunate to find love a second time with Willard (Giffy) Hammond. They married in 2004 and lived in Burlington where they attended church together. Later in life, Helen lived with her son James (Jamie) and his wife Linda in Tewksbury.

Helen was predeceased by her husband George A. Mann, second husband Willard Hammond, her daughter Janet Lee Mann Schofield, siblings Ruth Scott, James (Buddy) Gray and his wife Geraldine, Nelson Gray and his wife June, Carol Lea and her husband Wally, Harold Gray, Evelyn W. Jones and her husband Charles and her sister-in-law Donna Gray.

She is survived by her sister Jean Goodwin and her husband Earl of Essex, CT, sister Phyllis McConchie and her husband Rev. Carl of Tucson, AZ, brother Richard Gray of Beverly and sister-in-law Suzanne Gray of Columbus, OH in addition to her children Gail L. Gray and husband James of Seat Pleasant, MD, Gary A. Mann and wife Michelle of Mesa, AZ, Helen L. Haneef and husband Masud of Canton, James (Jamie) C. Mann and wife Linda of Tewksbury, Dana G. Mann and wife Laurie of Billerica, and Graham A. Mann of Woburn as well as her stepchildren Margery Merrill and her husband Richard of Bolton, Linda Leland and her husband Rev. Rich Leland of Nantucket and Douglas Hammond of Los Angeles, CA. Helen also had 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren, 10 step-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Helen trusted Jesus as her Savior and is with Him now.

Flowers are welcome and memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to New England Shelter For Homeless Veterans www.nechv.org.