Helen (Scott) Metts Giddis, 85 of Derry, NH passed away Saturday May 19, 2012 at Parkland Medical Center of Derry after a long illness. Helen was the daughter of the late Edward H. and Hazel M. (Dougan) Scott. She was predeceased by her first husband, Ernest M. Metts and her second husband, Joseph (Jim) Giddis.
Helen attended Derry schools, Kilrea, Floyd and Oak St. Junior High, and graduated from Pinkerton Academy in 1944. She attended the Margaret Pillsbury School of Nursing in September 1944 in Concord, and graduated in 1947 from the Concord Hospital School of Nursing, after the merger of Pillsbury and Memorial Hospitals. She returned to Derry in 1953, when she and Ernest were married. She lived in Derry, Tehran, Iran and Sandown, NH. Helen was active in the PTA at both Grinnell and South Range Schools. She also volunteered as a “Room Mother” for all three of her children, and as a “Den Mother” for Cub Scout Pack #141.
Helen will be remembered for the many years she was a nurse and night supervisor at Parkland Medical Center. She was appointed night supervisor in 1971 at Alexander Eastman Hospital, and continued in that position with Parkland until her retirement in December of 1989.
Helen is survived by one brother, Wallace Scott and his wife Frie, her three children, a daughter, Kathleen “Kitty” Callender, of New Mexico, a son, Robert Metts and his wife Laurie of North Carolina, a son, Richard Metts and his wife Susan of Derry, Seven grandchildren, E.J. Thor and his wife Michelle, Jamie Vachon and her husband Andy, Rebecca Meehan and her husband Mike, Bethany Metts, Megan Metts, Geoffrey Metts, and his wife Nicole, Sarah Repko and her husband Christopher. Helen is also survived by 11 great grandchildren with one on the way.
Calling hours were held on Monday May 21, 2012 from 4 to 8pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St. Derry. A funeral service was held Tuesday at 10am in the funeral home. The burial followed in the Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the First Baptist Church of Derry Food Pantry, or the ”Sonshine Soup Kitchen” both located at 1 Crystal Avenue, Derry, NH 03038.