Helen Sheffer Barnett

Helen Sheffer Barnett of North Haven, CT, and Harpswell, ME, beloved wife of John W. Barnett, and cherished sister of Louise M. Knight,, died January 8, 2008 in the presence of her family. Born in Harpswell September 24, 1930, she received her degree from Gorham State Teachers College. While teaching for Mobil Oil in Venezuela she met and married her late husband, Norman L. Sheffer, with whom she has three children: Scott Kendall Sheffer, of Portland, ME, Samanthe Knight Sheffer of Seattle, WA, and Gregory Mark Sheffer of San Francisco, CA. Helen enjoyed a second career as a title searcher, was an enthusiastic volunteer at both CT Hospice and Creative Arts Workshop, and was a member of The New Haven Lawn Club and the New Haven Garden Club. She was an avid tennis player, a passionate supporter of the arts and, as her friends well know, loved a good party. Nothing gave her more joy than traveling with her husband and family and spending time at her childhood home in Maine. Helen will continue to be appreciated for her energetic and playful spirit, lively sense of humor, and a lifelong ability to make lasting friendships. Her presence will be most deeply missed by her immediate family, including Greg's wife Heidi Sheffer, as well as John's children Elizabeth, John and Priscilla, and his eight grandchildren. A celebration of Helen's life will be held this Saturday, January 12, 2008, at 2:00 at The Church of the Redeemer, on the corner of Whitney Avenue and Cold Spring Street in New Haven. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Creative Arts Workshop, 80 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510, (203) 562-4927, or Save the Children, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880, (203) 221-4030. Arrangements under the direction of BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden.