A little powder A little paint Makes you look What you ain’t
Gwendolyn "Gwen" Helton (born Matthews) was born in Portsmouth on July 19, 1932, the daughter of Hughie and Bessie Matthews. She spent her youth on the family farm with her siblings. She later met her husband, Donald Helton, who was stationed in Portsmouth while serving in the United States Navy. They were married for 52 years.
Above all else, Gwen was devoted to her family. She raised four children and later spent much of her time with her grandchildren. Her nurturing nature showed in the strong family bonds she built, and she took great pride in hosting holiday gatherings and pool parties.
Gwen enjoyed spending time at her antique stores, most notably The Second Hand Rose in Barrington. She liked listening to country music, traveling to Campobello Island and going to Maine's beaches. She passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, at The Rochester Manor at the age of 93. She is remembered by her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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A memory of Gwendolyn
One of my favorite memories is going to yard sale shopping with my nana. We had the best times pilfering through rummage sales and finding our diamonds in the ruff. I will always appreciate the time I got to spend with her as an adult. She will always be in my heart.
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