Helen L. (Girouard) Howe, 89, of Sterling and formerly of Gardner, died peacefully on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Sterling Village Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, after a long illness.

Born in Gardner on November 22, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Lucille (Jaillet) Girouard. She graduated from St. Anne's High School with the Class of 1954 and went on to earn her degree in nursing from St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. Helen began her nursing career at Gardner State Hospital, where she met her beloved husband, George. She and George then owned and operated Howe Rest Home in Ashburnham for several years. Helen continued as a registered nurse at Heywood Hospital in Gardner until her retirement in 1998.

Helen's greatest joy in life was her family, most notably her children and grandchildren. She loved watching them in their activities that included many swim meets, dance recitals, baseball and softball games. She and George loved the Red Sox and were sure to watch most of the games. She loved summers on Cape Cod, was an avid reader, and loved to bake and knit. Helen was a parishioner of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, both of Gardner. Throughout her life, she demonstrated a caring and compassionate spirit, dedicating herself to the well-being of others through her nursing career.

Helen was predeceased by her husband George, who died in 2023. They shared 64 years of marriage together at the time of his death.

Helen is survived by her two sons, Brendon Howe and his wife Lynne of Pocasset, MA, and Bradley Howe and his wife Jacqueline of Wainscott, NY; a daughter, Cynthia Soucie and her husband Scott of Westford, MA; four grandchildren, Jessica Howe, Connor Howe, Ally Howe, and Lauren Soucie; two brothers, Eugene Girouard of Ohio, and Phillip Girouard of Gardner; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Funeral Services will follow from the funeral home with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Annunciation Parish at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner, MA. Burial will be held privately for the family at a later date at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Massachusetts/ New Hampshire Chapter, 320 Nevada Street #201, Newton, MA 02460, or on their website www.alz.org. Please reference in memory of Helen L. Howe.