Obituary: ​Helen Walter Laird, 90, of Branford

Information via W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home

Helen Walter Laird of Branford, died in Branford after a short illness October 17, 2017. She was the wife of the late Edward (Bud) Laird. She was born in Cheshire, CT, September 23, 1927, a daughter of the late Thomas H. and E. Marion Peters Walter.

She grew up in Clinton CT where she was the salutatorian of her high school class. She attended the University of CT and then worked as a nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital. She later worked as a real estate agent with the Beazley Real Estate Company of Branford. She cofounded the United Wire Company of North Haven along with her husband.

Helen lived in Branford from 1964 until her death. She was past president of the Branford Woman’s Club and held office in the Connecticut State Federation of Woman’s clubs. She was a member of the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club where she enjoyed playing golf and tennis. She was also an avid skier. She spent a good deal of time playing bridge with a variety of friends. She was on the committee for handicapped accessibility for the Branford Senior Center.

Helen volunteered as a “cuddlier” for premature infants at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was an active member of the Branford Evangelical Free Church attending woman’s Bible studies and serving as a volunteer in the financial area of the church. She is survived by three children her son Bradford Laird (Stephanie) of Branford, Robin Laird Swanson of Branford, Kathryn Laird of New Haven, her grand children Edward Laird , Melissa Laird-Cavagnaro (Josh), Bradford (Maureen) Laird, Holly Barry (Josh), Daniel Laird, Robert Swanson Jr. , Benjamin Swanson (Kaitlyn), Peter Swanson, Justin Swanson. Emily Berg, Sasha Berg, Aaron Berg, and Jharnee Laird, her brother Leonard Walter of Clinton, CT. ,eleven great grand children and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her grandson Jonathan Swanson, and her sister Jeanne Whitcher.Services will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday October 22, 2017 at the Branford Evangelical Free Church 231 Leetes Island Rd. Branford CT. There will be a reception following the service at about 4:00 at which time friends may greet the family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Branford Evangelical Free Church or the CT Hospice 100 Double Beach Rd. Branford, CT 06405. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Helen Laird, please visit our Tribute Store.