LACONIA --- Helen Louise Waite, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Belknap County Nursing Home, in Laconia, NH.
Helen was born on January 10, 1938, in Pittsfield, NH, the daughter of the late Lowell and Dora (Lougee) Mills.
Helen was raised in Ashland, NH. After graduating from high school, she traveled to Alaska, where she met her first husband William Graves. She later relocated to Laconia, NH, with her children. She raised her children as a single parent until she married Thomas R. Waite in 1978. Together they raised six children.
Helen participated in sports in her youth and continued playing sports in the Laconia Adult Leagues. She led a very active lifestyle until her admittance to the Belknap County Nursing Home.
Helen was a devoted mother; either rain or shine, she always was present at all of her children’s sporting events and school activities. She always instilled good sportsmanship within her children.
Helen loved the outdoors, fishing, gardening, hiking, camping, and traveling. She was a member of the Appellation Mountain Club. She completed all 36 4,000-foot mountains in NH.
As a family, she spent many summer weekends and vacation hiking and camping in the White Mountains. Helen could always count on the family dog, Happy, to hike with no complaints. All wonderful memories that the family will treasure. Helen and Tom loved to travel throughout the US and always looked forward to traveling to Aruba. Helen was always happy spending time with friends and family. She loved her grandchildren very much, and will be deeply missed by all that knew her.
Helen is survived by her loving sons, Kenneth Graves, and Tony Graves; step-son Scott Waite; step-daughter Elsie Rapoza; many grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Helen is predeceased by her loving husband Thomas R. Waite, her son William Dyan Graves, her step-daughter Bonnie Waite, and her brothers Lowell Mills Jr., and Leslie Mills.
Per Helen’s request there will be no services.
A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
The family would also like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Belknap County Nursing Home nurses, LNAs, and the Granite VNA Hospice staff for all of their professional, high-quality care she experienced.
For those who wish, memorial donations in Helen’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada Street, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02460.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.