Helen (Rigell) Bird, 92, passed away peacefully November 13, 2012 at East Village Retirement Community. She was born November 28, 1919 in Nicholls, GA, the daughter of Marcus and Pearl Rigell. Her husband, Joseph W. Bird, predeceased her in 1977. She was also predeceased by her granddaughter, Erin May in 1990. She is survived by her daughter, Sandi Lanigan and her husband Charles Lanigan; her daughter, Karen May and her husband Dennis May; and four grandchildren: Joshua May, Barbara Rigell Lanigan; Jane Lanigan, and Thomas Lanigan. Helen was raised on a farm in rural Georgia. She had great common sense and an uncommon gift for gardening that caused people to seek her out for advice and help her entire life. She married her husband Joe in the early days of World War II and returned with him after the war to his home in Worcester, MA. They were deeply devoted to each other. Together they raised a family and owned Bird Photo, a well known business in Worcester for many years. Helen was independent and unpretentious. She was kind and considerate. Above all else she was fun. She was adored by friends and family alike. Her’s was a life well lived. She will be deeply missed and long remembered.
     There will be calling hours Thursday (November 15) at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main Street, in East Longmeadow (413) 525-2800 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. There will be service on Friday (November 16) at the First Congregational Church in Paxton, MA. Please call the funeral home for the time. Helen will be buried next to her husband in the Worcester County Memorial Cemetery. Gifts in her memory can be made to the First Congregational Church of Paxton, 1 Church St., Paxton, MA 01612.