Rutha 'Bette' E. Helfrich, 100

BELMONT — Rutha Elizabeth "Bette" Helfrich of Belmont (formerly of Gilford), who for years told everyone that she was “going to live to be 100” and was so very proud when she reached that goal last October, died May 24, 2025, at her daughter’s home, surrounded by love.

Bette was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, on Oct. 15, 1924, the daughter of the late Leverett P. and Rutha E. (née Thimm) Jenness. She attended schools in Kearny, New Jersey, where her family had moved in 1928, and was a graduate of Kearny High School. She attended the Washington School for Secretaries in Newark, New Jersey.

After marrying the love of her life, Chuck Helfrich, she resided in Gilford for 45 years before moving to Belmont with her daughter and son-in-law in 2012. In the early 1970s she worked as a secretary for Robert St. Louis Studios in Laconia. In 1977, she went to work as a bookkeeper at Winnipesaukee Lift Corp, Alpine Ridge in Gilford, until its demise in 1989. She then worked in the same capacity for the Corner Deli in Laconia and Airport Country Store and Deli in Gilford until her retirement in 2000.

Bette and her husband Chuck enjoyed traveling over the years. They visited many different areas in the country, as well as ski trips to Banff in Alberta, Canada, and to France to ski the French Alps. She also enjoyed playing golf well into her 80s.

After retirement, Bette was a volunteer at the Lakes Region General Hospital for 19 years wherever there was a need. She served on the editorial board of the now defunct Vital Signs, an internal volunteer newsletter. She was a volunteer at the Gilford Public Library and served a term as membership chair on the board of trustees of The Friends of the Gilford Public Library. Bette was also employed by the Town of Gilford for many years as a supervisor of the checklist, retiring in 2008. She also served on the board of trustees for Gilford Village Knolls II, before moving to Belmont.

Bette was a very talented seamstress, knitter and cross-stitcher, as well as an avid reader. She never sat down without having the latest project in her lap and a needle (or knitting needles) in her hands. When not indulging in these pastimes, she was reading, doing crossword puzzles, or socializing with her friends, of which she had many. She adored her large extended family and spent as much time as possible with all of them, including her beloved Siamese cat, "Cat."

Bette is survived by a son, Richard L. Higgins (Christine) of Cocoa Beach, Florida; two daughters, Lauran R. Higgins of Greenville, and Mary Elisabeth "Lisa" Drouin (Jack) of Belmont; her brother, Fredrick L. Jenness (Fran) of Brattleboro, Vermont, and Venice, Florida; grandchildren Jennifer Hayes, Richard Higgins Jr., Nina Beliveau (Michael), Sean Higgins, Jarod Leroux and Seth Leroux; 10 great-grandchildren including a set of twins just born on May 30. Bette is also survived by two loving stepsons, Otis L. Helfrich II (Brenda) of Fletcher, Vermont, and Craig Helfrich of Westford, Vermont; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Warren L. Jenness; her beloved husband, Charles “Chuck” Helfrich, her sister-in-law and very dear friend, Catherine Helfrich Hart; her first husband and father of her children, E. Lawrence Higgins; as well as two stepchildren, Charles Cushing Helfrich Jr. and Cathy O’Neil, both of Vermont. She was also predeceased by her very dear Siamese cat, “Cat,” and her gentle giant, white German shepherd, “Spirit.”

The family would like to thank Lakes Region VNA and the hospice nurses for the wonderful care and attention they gave our mother, with a special thank you to Brooke, Kendra and Betsy for the tender loving care they gave her. We would also like to thank the LRVNA volunteers who came and spent time with her, as well as a special thank you to our friend, Betty O’Donnell, for coming every week to do crossword puzzles with her, which she enjoyed very much.

There will be no calling hours.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Gilford Public Library, 31 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH 03249 (for the purchase of new materials), or to Lakes Region VNA, either online at lrvna.org or 186 Waukewan St., Meredith, NH 03253.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.