Helen Norine (Couture) Ford, 84, a resident of West Concord since 1959, died March 9, 2024. Helen was the beloved wife for 45 years of the late Robert E. Ford, Sr. who passed in 2004.
She is survived by her daughter Brenda J. Lyons and her husband Deputy Fire Chief Kevin M. Lyons (Ret.) of Boxborough, and sons, Dennis J. Ford of Littleton and Robert E. Ford Jr. of Newburyport, three grandchildren, Firefighter Brendan M. Lyons and partner Hannah Egan of Ayer, Patrick K. Lyons of Boxborough and Cody Ford of Maine. She also leaves her beloved cats, Simone and Ivy Jean. Daughter of the late Mary (Bewell) and Leo Couture, and sister to the late Dorothy Whitney and Darlene Leavitt.
Born in Worcester, she attended Watertown Public Schools. She was a crossing guard for the town of Concord on the corner of Main and Pine Streets for 13 years. She enjoyed many arts and crafts, eventually settling on painting in acrylics, mainly florals and mostly self-taught. She exhibited her paintings at the Council on Aging in Concord and also pressed flower artwork at the gallery at Emerson Hospital. She painted chairs and tables to be auctioned for an HGRM fundraiser. She painted roof tiles removed from the Fowler Branch Library during their renovation to be auctioned for a fundraiser.
She enjoyed singing and playing classical music on the piano. She was a member of Sweet Adelines for 3 years. Helen spent a majority of her time gardening in the spring and summer. She enjoyed many family gatherings and cookouts around her swimming pool. She spent many years volunteering at the Concord Council of Aging, transporting people to and from appointments. She was called upon to help decorate the COA float for the town’s 375th birthday celebration. She also enjoyed decorating the family trees celebrating children’s literature at the Concord Museum.
Family and friends will gather for visiting hours on Friday, March 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. A private burial service will be held the following day at St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the MSPCA, Groton Hill Music School of Groton, HGRM of Acton or World Central Kitchen.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a memory or to offer a condolence in Helen’s online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
