Helen Brooks Palmer
PALMER, Helen Brooks, 84, Easton, at Caribou, July 10, 2016. Services will be held on Thursday, July 21, at 11 a.m., at the Church of the Advent, Limestone. Arrangements are in the care of the Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
EASTON – Helen Brooks Palmer, the daughter of Charles A.H. and Viola Brooks was born in Portage Lake on July 10, 1932, and passed away at Cary Medical Center in Caribou July 11, 2016. Helen grew up in Ashland, and has mainly lived in Easton, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Presque Isle.
She attended Ricker Classical Institute and graduated from Ricker College. She taught school in Skowhegan, Limestone, Caribou, Presque Isle and at Prince of Wales College and Charlottetown Vocational Institute in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Helen also worked as a social worker at the Department of Human Services and at Burrelles.
Helen, along with her husband Tony, were both well- known area horsemen. They were active in the harness racing industry in Maine, New Brunswick and PEI. They established Jolly Yankee Stables on PEI where they bred, raised and trained Standardbred horses and operated Golden Gaits Riding School. Both were a fixture at the racetrack in Presque Isle, especially during the Northern Maine Fair. Partners in life, the two of them were involved with many benefits, especially the Central Aroostook Humane Society’s Santa Paws where Tony was “Santa Paws” and Helen photographed all of the critters who came to see him. She photographed for Paws for the Cause, Blessing of the Animals and for many other worthy events.
Helen had many accomplishments and adventures of which she was especially proud. One was riding with the Bicentennial Wagon Train and another was leading the parade and marshalling for The Gold Cup and Saucer, PEI’s most prestigious harness race, during Old Home Week at Charlotte-town, PEI.
Helen belonged to and enjoyed being a part of the Over 50’s Club in Portage Lake, The Portage Lake Historical Society, and the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the American Legion in both Easton and Presque Isle. Helen was always a strong supporter of veterans. She was also active in the Episcopal Churches of this area.
Helen was predeceased by her husband, Antone P. Palmer in 2009.
She is survived by her daughter, Connie Donnelly; grandsons, Nathan and Nolan Donnelly; and granddaughter, Payton, all of Presque Isle; a sister, Sarah Brooks of Nashville Plt., ME, and Guy Landry of St. Francois, NB; her beloved sheltie and side kick, “Charlie”; cat, “Mr. Ed”; and cockatiel, “Cecil”. She is also survived by special friends, Virginia Cook of Charlottetown, PEI, and Lisa Farley of Brownville, ME; along with others too numerous to list by name.
Services will be held on Thursday, July 21, at 11 a.m., at the Church of the Advent, 37 Church St., Limestone. Friends may visit with the family from 10 until time of the service. Interment will be at The Whittaker Cemetery, Rt. 10, Presque Isle, immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross St., Presque Isle, ME 04769, in Helen’s name, would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by the Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
