Helen Marie McCabe, 73, died peacefully at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, New Hampshire on Saturday, September 11, 2010, after a short illness. Helen had recently moved with her family to Amherst from Houston, Texas.

Born June 21, 1937 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Helen was the daughter of Ray and Idabelle (Laycock) Windus. She grew up in Munising, Michigan, raised her family in Indiana and Ohio, and removed to Houston in 1973, where she was an educator and small business owner until retirement in late 2007.

Helen was a talented musician who sang in and directed many choirs, and performed on the clarinet in numerous ensembles and orchestras. She played bridge avidly for over 65 years, and was an ACBL-certified teacher and director, a Life Master, and a mentor.

Helen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Daryl and John D’Angelo, and granddaughter Michaela, all of Amherst. A memorial service will be held at her daughter’s home on September 25th, 2010 at 3 pm, with the Reverend Richard Leavitt (Congregational Church of Amherst) officiating. Friends and relatives of Helen and her family are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to a Hospice Foundation in your community, to provide peace and solace to your neighbors in need.