Helen L. Edwards

Helen Edwards, 91, of Westbrook, Maine passed away November 20, 2022. She was born on March 26, 1931 in Waterville, Maine. Helen grew up there along with five sisters and one brother. She was the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, Richard and Marie (Barakat) Nawfel, From a young age, Helen loved to draw and paint. After graduating from high school, she attended the Portland School of Art in Portland, Maine where she received a degree. Afterwards, she got a job at the craft shop in Fort Devens, Massachusetts where she met her future husband, Beasley Edwards. Beasley was in the Army and was working as an electronics instructor. He was so smitten with Helen that he got a second job at the craft shop so he could be near her. He was always available to give her rides home which led them to a happy courtship. Beasley took Helen to Virginia to visit his family, and three days after she returned to Maine, he called her on the phone and asked her to marry him. She accepted and they were married on June 10, 1956. They went on to raise three daughters; Karen, Ronny, and Charlotte. Helen loved spending time with her children, and they have fond memories of singing with her around the piano, and she was invariably ready for a good game of tennis or badminton with her family. She was always there to support her daughters in their schoolwork and extra-curricular activities. Helen continued her artwork, which was admired by all. In addition, she had a passion for animals, as there were regularly pets in the house. Later in life she loved spending time with her grandchildren, and visiting with her great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her parents Richard and Marie Nawfel, her sister Juliet Saliba with her husband Beshara Saliba, her brother Dr. Elias Nawfel with his wife Jamila, her sister Lorice Franklin, her sister Sumayah Ferris with her husband Deeb D. Ferris, and their son Paul A. Ferris. Helen is survived by her husband Beasley Edwards of Westbrook, Maine, her daughters Karen Sejkora of Sonoita Arizona, with her husband Donald; Ronny Sprinkle of Sweden, Maine with her husband Jay; and Charlotte Emery of Windham, Maine with her husband Timothy; her grandchildren Elijah Emery, Megan Emery, Jessica Barry, Erin Sprinkle, Amber Sprinkle; and her great-grandchildren Miles Kimball and Peter Barry. She is also survived by her sisters Dolores Nawfel and Elizabeth Fowler with her husband Leon Fowler. The family would like to thank the staff at Stroudwater Lodge and Northern Light Home Care And Hospice for their compassionate care of Helen. A private graveside ceremony will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Gorham, Maine on June 3rd at 11:00 a.m. There will be a Celebration of Life for friends and family at Charlotte and Tim Emery’s home at 25 Montgomery Road, Windham, Maine following the ceremony.

Helen L. Edwards

March 26, 1931 - November 20, 2022

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