WATERVILLE-Patricia “Pat” Helm Lyford, 88, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2026 at 12:15pm at Bedside Manor in Oakland, Maine with family present.

Pat was born in Woonsocket Rhode Island on 11/21/1937. Her parents were George Theodore Helm and Marjory (Ward) Helm. She graduated as valedictorian of Burrillville High School in Harrisville, Rhode Island in June 1955. She attended the University of Rhode Island (URI) and graduated Bachelor of Arts with "highest scholastic honors” in June 1959.

While at URI, Pat met Gordon G. Lyford from Dover-Foxcroft Maine. They married on July 25, 1959 in Slatersville, Rhode Island. Their first home together was in Chepachet, Rhode Island, and Pat was a first grade teacher for two years at the local elementary school. In 1961, Pat and Gordon moved to Maine. Their first child, Peter, was born in March 1962 in Portland, Maine. Moving to Waterville later in 1962, Pat became a lifelong homemaker. Their second child, Kimberly, was born in August 1963 in Waterville, Maine, followed by Nancy (December, 1966) and Christopher (October, 1968).

Pat and Gordon joined the First Congregational Church of Waterville, Maine in 1962, and she continued as an active member until her passing. She served the church in many capacities: Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, President of Evening Fellowship, President of Women’s Fellowship, Member of the Board of Deacons (three terms), and sixteen years as Clerk. She was a member of the Evening Sandwich Program for thirty years. Pat was a faithful blood donor at Red Cross Blood Drives throughout her life. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den mother, a Member of Thayer Hospital Auxiliary, a Member of Board of Directors of Sunset Home, and a Member of Waterville AAUW. Pat received the Micah Award from the Kennebec Valley Organization in 2014 for her many services to her church and her community.

Pat was predeceased by her husband Gordon on May 3, 1983. Her parents, George and Marjory Helm, predeceased her in 2003 and 2007 respectively.

Family was central to Pat’s life, and she hosted many family events here in Waterville, on Cape Cod, and at the family camp in Sebec, Maine. Pat’s cookies, bars, brownies and rum cakes are remembered fondly and will be greatly missed by all. She is survived by her children (Peter Lyford and wife Lee, Kimberly Lyford, Nancy (Lyford) Hale and husband Steve, Christopher Lyford and wife Cari). Her six grandchildren (Zachary Hale and wife Katelynn, Helm Toler, Seamus Toler, Noah Lyford, Caleb Lyford, and Harper Lyford), and three great- grandchildren (Grayson, Delaney, and Elijah Hale) were especially precious to her and brought her immense joy.

Her siblings (Ted Helm and wife Judy, Jeffrey Helm and wife Kathy, Jennifer (Helm) Geurtsen and husband John) also survive her, along with eight nephews and nieces (John Helm, Michael Helm, Kelly Helm-Pullar, Brent Helm, Kala Helm Campbell, Melissa Geurtsen Norwood, Kerry Geurtsen Jerin, and Andrew Geurtsen).

A memorial service and celebration of life will take place on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 1pm at St Marks Episcopal Church, 60 Eustis Parkway, in Waterville Maine. The service will be followed by a reception/collation at the same location. Pat specified there be no visiting hours and a private committal service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to First Congregational Church of Waterville, United Church of Christ, 21 College Avenue, Waterville, Maine 04901.

The family would like to thank the caregivers who provided 24-hour in-home support to Pat in 2023. We are also grateful for the loving care Pat received from the staff at Bedside Manor East in Oakland Maine from October 2023 to her passing, and for the care and comfort provided by MaineGeneral Homecare and Hospice in her final days.