Zephyrhills, FL – Helen Irene MacDonald, 86, died unexpectedly, Friday, March 23, 2018, at Florida Hospital in Zephyrhills.

Helen was born in Groton, VT, December 4, 1931, a daughter of Lee Roy and Dorothy H. (Bixby) Vance.  She was raised in Groton and on February 7, 1952, she married John Bartlett "Bart" MacDonald.   Along with Bart, an Air Force veteran, she traveled the country from duty station to duty station, before returning home to Woodsville in the summer of 1972.

For the next ten years they lived in Woodsville where she worked as a pharmacy technician at the former Woodsville Pharmacy.  In 1982, they began wintering in Florida and returning home in the summer.  For 20 years, they lived in their motor home traveling throughout the United States, before settling in Zephyrhills.

Helen was predeceased by Bart, her husband of 55 years, on November 10, 2007; her sister, Lamona "Mona" Gibson on March 8, 2011; and brother in law, Floyd Gibson on July 7, 2013.

Helen will be forever remembered for her unselfish ways, her beautiful smile, her beautiful heart, and her unconditional love of family and friends.

Survivors include a daughter, Diana M. Fadden and husband Alvin of North Haverhill; three sons, Michael L. MacDonald and wife Connie of Pike Road, AL, Brian J. MacDonald of Las Vegas, NV, and Mark V. MacDonald and wife Diane of Woodsville; 14 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; a sister, Sherry Brill and husband Jack of Woodsville; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A time of calling will be on Saturday, May 5th, beginning at 9:30 AM until the time of the funeral ceremony which will begin at 11 AM, at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH.   Spring burial will be in the Groton Village Cemetery, Groton, VT.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.