Helen R. (Burke) Tibbetts, 95, of Mattapoisett died February 14, 2006 at St. Luke's Hospital.
She was the wife of the late Fred E. Tibbetts, Jr., founder of Tibbetts Engineering Corporation of New Bedford.
Born in Boston, the daughter of the late Joseph F. and Eva G. (Pearson) Burke, she was raised in Somerville, MA and lived in Marion and Mattapoisett most of her life. She summered on Nantucket and wintered in Dunedin, FL.
She was a member of the Marion Congregational Church.
Mrs. Tibbetts attended Somerville schools and graduated from Fisher Junior College in Boston. She worked at White Fuel in South Boston.
An accomplished pianist, she studied classical piano at the New England Conservatory of Music and jazz piano in Boston. She taught piano lessons in Marion for 15 years and taught music at Friends Academy in Dartmouth. She played piano for Acushnet Processing Company Apcoites Variety shows and for the Marion United Methodist Church.
At the age of 88 and 91, she produced 2 piano CD's and dedicated them to her grandson, Peter Capizzo, with the proceeds given to the Wegener's Granulomatosis Association.
Mrs. Tibbetts was a former member on the board of directors of the family business Tibbetts Engineering Corporation in New Bedford.
Survivors include a son, Fred E. Tibbetts, III, and his wife Donna G., of Lakeville; a daughter, Stephanie Capizzo, and her husband Gus A., of Mattapoisett; 6 grandchildren, Joseph Tibbetts, and his wife Tara, Matthew Tibbetts, and his girlfriend Tracey, Todd Capizzo, and his wife Carol, Kristin Capizzo, Sean Capizzo, and his wife Celeste, and Peter Capizzo, and his girlfriend Eryn, 2 great-grandchildren, David Capizzo and Cole Capizzo, several nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Edith Beggs, Eva Garvey and Joseph Burke, Jr.
Her Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, February 25th at 11 AM in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion followed by her Memorial Service at 12 Noon in the Marion Congregational Church. Luncheon to follow at 1 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 101A First St., Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451 or the Vasculitis Foundation (for research of Wegener's Granulomatosis) P.O. Box 28660, Kansas City, MO 64188-8660.