SACO- Helen (Gregoire) Randall, 83, of Saco, ME, passed away peacefully at home on May 19, 2025. Born in Biddeford on April 22, 1942, to Lionel and Marion (Provencal) Gregoire, she grew up in Dayton and graduated from Thornton Academy in 1960 after which she worked in a local shoe factory.
On Thanksgiving Day 1963, Helen married Leon Randall. The couple took a wedding trip to New York City, where Leon bought her a much-loved pair of leather gloves, but did not spring for a hotel room in Manhattan. Instead, the newlyweds spent their wedding night at a motel in Yonkers, where raucous neighboring guests played “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen on repeat late into the night, prompting Helen to sleep with an iron beside her for protection. The story became part of Randall family lore.
The couple resided in Saco for most of their married life, raising three daughters there. During retirement they happily wintered in Zephyrhills, Florida, where they made many special friends from across the U.S. and Canada.
Helen left work to raise her children, but later started a daycare in her home, helping to bring up many children of local schoolteachers. The kids and their parents became family, and she stayed in touch with them for years after they outgrew her care, eventually reconnecting on social media.
Helen was a baker for Shaw’s Supermarket in Saco for many years until her retirement. It was a fitting role as cooking and baking for others was her love language. From molasses cookies and fudge, to meatballs, and baked beans every Saturday night, she loved to feed her family and friends. It was part of her French-Canadian heritage. When her children were growing up and for years after, Thursday night was pizza night—usually with her favorite toppings, green pepper and onion.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother Pete Gregoire.
She is survived by Leon, her husband of nearly 62 years; daughter Susan Doyon and her husband, Mike, of Saco; daughter Lisa Lessard and her husband, Neal, of Alfred; daughter Bethany Randall and her husband, Petr Stepanek, of Saco; grandsons Ryan Lessard, Nathan Lessard, and Collin Wells; granddaughter Lauren Wells; great-grandson Waylon Lessard; and sisters Lorraine Randall, Jeanne Martin, Jeannette Lanier, and Gloria Gregoire.
At Helen's request, there will be no visiting hours or service as she never liked people making a fuss about her. The family would like to express its gratitude to the caring staff from Hospice of Southern Maine, especially Nurse Sue, who all helped make it possible to honor Helen's wish to remain at home during her final days. For anyone wishing to contribute, memorial donations to Hospice of Southern Maine may be made in Helen’s name.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, www.mainefuneral.com