MILFORD, NH -Helen J. Dean, 79, resident of Milford, NH, died on February 16, 2019 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Nashua, NH.

She was born in Dracut, MA on June 30, 1939, a daughter of Charles W. and Veronica (Rutyna) Thompson. She graduated from Dracut High School, Class of 1956 and attended the University of Virginia.

Mrs. Dean made her home in Milford for over 40 years. She was employed in nursing for most of working life and had been employed as a geriatric administrator at the Mont Vernon Inn, Mont Vernon, NH for many years.

She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, gardening and working on craft projects. She most especially loved spending time with her family and eating “Lobsta” with Johnboy.

Mrs. Dean was a member of Christian Bible Church, Nashua, NH.

She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Claude R. “Sonny” Dean who died in 1998.

Family members include her son, Pastor Claude R. “Sonny” Dean, Jr. and his wife Karen of Fairfield Maine, four daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Robert Westcott of New Boston, NH, Donna and Steve Bristol, Diana L. Hapgood, and Gale and William Vrouhas all of Milford, NH; 14 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; two sisters, Eva Gilliland of Pelham, NH ; Mary Ann Chausse of Gig Harbor, WA; three brothers, Jack Thompson of Calais, ME, David Thompson and his wife Gail of FL, and Harold Thompson of Jaffrey, NH; many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours are on Wednesday, February 20th from 4:00-7:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am in the funeral home. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Share Outreach, Inc., 1 Columbus Avenue, Milford, NH 03055. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com