Helen L (Demars) Renaud

HARDWICK- Helen (Demars) Renaud, 87, passed peacefully September 30, 2018 with family by her side at the Craftsbury Community Care Center after a brief illness.

Helen was born in Hardwick, VT on November 3, 1930 to O’Neal Demars Sr. and Hilda Jeffords Demars.  She had wonderful memories of growing up in Greensboro Bend.

In 1948 she graduated from Greensboro High School and was a faithful alumna, attending many class reunions and staying in touch with childhood friends.

On November 24, 1949, she married her partner in life and love, L. Philip Renaud. They raised their four sons in Hardwick.  She loved hunting and fishing with Phil and the boys, and especially loved camping with them and later on with her beloved grandchildren in the ever-ready pop-up camper. She was always ready for the next adventure, from packing up the family for an entire summer of tenting on the Brochu farm on Bridgman Hill to canoeing the Allagash River with Phil and a group of friends. She looked forward to the annual November hunting trip to Palais Royale, their camp in the North Maine Woods, where she was camp boss. She and Phil enjoyed 55 years together until his passing in 2005.

She loved knitting and crocheting. Christmas always brought sweaters, hats, mittens, socks and dishcloths, all made with love.

After her sons were off to school, Helen began a career in health care. She was one of the first home health aides for Caledonia Home Health and one of the first members of the Hardwick Rescue Squad. She was a medical secretary for the Hardwick Hospital and for the final twenty-five years of her career, with Northern Counties Health Care at the Greensboro and Hardwick Health Centers. After retirement, she was a volunteer at the Greensboro Nursing Home to just visit and lend a hand or to help with hospice care.

Her involvement with her community and her faith was extensive. She was a member of the Hardwick Historical Society, a devoted Catholic Daughter and member of Mary Queen of All Saints Parish and a supporting member of Catholic Financial Life. For twenty-five years she was the chairperson for the Fresh Air Fund for the greater Hardwick area and stayed in touch with her returning summer son, Steve Wright of Asbury Park, NJ.

Helen is survived by her four sons and their wives; David and Gail, Paul and Lori, Wayne and Lenore, all of Hardwick, and Rick and Bethann of Landenberg, PA. She was beloved Gram to seven grandchildren, Oneal Renaud, Amanda Renaud Smith, Jacob Renaud, Danielle Renaud, Megan Renaud Dubuque, Matthew Renaud and Tyler Renaud. She loved being G.G. to her greats, Jayden, Ella, Ben, Addy, Xander, Laton, Jacob and Tucker. She is also survived by her brother, O’Neal (Sonny) Demars Jr. and his wife Peg, of Morrisville and her brother-in-law Carl (Chip) Fortune of Hyde Park and many special nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Phil, her 1-day-old daughter, Karen Louise and her sister, Elaine Demars Fortune.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Friday, October 5th at St. Norbert’s Church in Hardwick with burial to follow at Sanborn Cemetery in East Hardwick.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen’s memory can be sent to the Craftsbury Community Care Center or the Hardwick Rescue Squad. The des Groseilliers Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Please visit dgfunerals.com for service information or to send online condolences.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen L (Demars) Renaud, please visit our floral store.