SANFORD — Helen King Dostie, a retired financial executive known for her kindness and wit, died of Alzheimer’s disease, surrounded by her loving family, on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, at the age of 74.
Helen King Dostie was born on Jan. 12, 1940 in Farmington, N.H., to Osee Mae Salter King and James Henry King. Her father was a woodsman and her mother a seamstress and dressmaker; they lived in the tiny town of Tamworth, N.H., with Helen’s two brothers, Carl and Fred, where the children were instilled with the values of strong work ethic, quality of work, community support, friendship and family.
Helen graduated eighth grade from the one-room, single-teacher, school house in Tamworth, and soon after moved, with her family, to Sanford, where she graduated from Sanford High School in 1957.
On Aug. 6, 1960, Helen married Roland Dostie. They were married for 40 years, lived in Sanford and had two daughters together: Debra and Diane.
After graduating from high school, Helen received an associate’s degree in 1959 from Nasson College in Springvale. Following college, Helen began working full-time at the Sanford Savings and Loan Association as an accounting clerk and resigned 22 years later as vice president and corporate secretary. In December 1981, Mrs. Dostie went to work for NRG Barriers, Inc., a small manufacturer of roofing insulation located in Sanford. After 15 years of service with the company, Helen retired in April 1996, then the company’s assistant controller. This allowed her to focus on her greatest love, her family. Helen was thankful for her early retirement, as it allowed her and her husband to enjoy four years of retirement together before Roland’s passing in November 2000.
Over the years, Helen and her husband and their family enjoyed many summers at cottages on Square Pond in Shapleigh and Schoodic Lake in Lakeview Plantation. Helen and her husband also enjoyed a trip of a lifetime together in 1981, spending three weeks in Scotland and England. Helen loved to travel, and she did so extensively with several close friends and family after her husband’s passing. Places Helen traveled included Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, South Dakota, Washington, Nevada, many parts of Canada, the Panama canal, the Mediterranean, all parts of Europe, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and South America. For several years, she also enjoyed time during the winter in Florida with family. Her final trip was taken one year ago to Las Vegas with her daughters, sister-in-law and a niece. The quintet toured all over the city, saw shows and gambled a bit, and of course, Helen was the biggest winner.
Mrs. Dostie was a member of the Nasson College Alumni Association and spent many hours volunteering for the group after her retirement. She was a member of the board of directors and served as the financial secretary for several years. In October 2000, Helen was presented the “Distinguished Alumni Award” for her many contributions.
When not spending time with family, traveling or volunteering, Helen’s favorite pastime was following sports. She had an amazing memory and could talk sports statistics with the best of the avid fans she knew. She loved baseball, football, basketball and NASCAR. In February 2010, she attended the Daytona 500 with her brother-in-law and three nephews. At the event, she instructed the nephews on the finer points of NASCAR, and they were impressed with the breadth of their New England aunt’s knowledge of NASCAR’s history and drivers.
Of her life, Helen said, “I feel fortunate to be able to enjoy my family. The grandchildren are a joy, and I look forward to attending their many programs and sporting events. I have many good friends and feel keeping busy is important. Life is good!”
Helen was preceded in death by: her husband, Roland Dostie; brothers, Carl “Dint” Pulsifer and Frederick Pulsifer and wife Carolyn; sister-in-law, Charline Frink and her husband John.
Helen is survived by: daughter, Debra Taylor and husband Michael, and their children Charles and Madeline of Wells; daughter, Diane Townsend and husband Matthew and their children Evelyn, Lydia, Sarah and Abigail of Fairfield; sisters-in-law, Rochelle Downs and husband Thomas, Adrienne Cauchon and husband Dona, and Myrna Pulsifer; and 22 nieces and nephews and their families.
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the devoted care provided by the staff at the Monarch Center and VNA Home Health Hospice. Visiting hours will be 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, 66 North Ave., Sanford. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider sending a memorial contribution to VNA Home Health Hospice, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, ME, 04106; the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074; or the Nasson College Alumni Association, P.O. Box 416, Springvale, ME 04083. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.
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