Vernon Obituary: Helen Dyar, 88

Helen “Honey” Riker Dyar, 88, most recently of Vernon, passed away at home on April 30, 2018 with her family by her side.

Born to the late Henry Edgar Riker and Helen Forsyth Riker, Helen grew up in Fairfield, and remained a CT resident for her lifetime. Helen was married for 64 years to T. Gerald Dyar who passed 7 months ago. She met Gerry at Hartford Hospital where she was completing her RN training and he was working as an aide to support himself while in college.

Graduated from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1952, she remained in the nursing field during her entire career which included a variety of positions at Hartford Hospital; Veteran’s Hospital, Fayetteville NC;while her husband was stationed at Fort Bragg; Cedarcrest Tuberculosis Hospital in Newington; Mount St Joseph Academy in West Hartford; Gengras Center for Exceptional Children/St Joseph’s College; and Trinity College Health Center.

Helen and Gerry raised their family in West Hartford, retired to Westbrook and most recently moved to Vernon. Helen was a lifetime participant in her community, volunteering with a variety of organizations, as a Leader of Junior and Senior Girl Scouts; Chair of Social Action Committee and member of Executive Board of Broadview Community Church; Founder and first president of Church Homes Inc, Auxiliary (Avery Heights Senior Living Community); and Vice-Chairman of Nursing Disaster Services, American Red Cross. Helen was also a member and volunteer with American Youth Hostels joining Gerry as co-leader on several bicycling touring trips.

She was always active as a member of her church, in particular Westbrook Congregational Church and First Congregational Church of Vernon. Helen enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading and her beloved pets as well as all creatures furry and cute. Later in life she developed a passion for kayaking while living in Westbrook and spent many happy hours exploring the waterways of the shore.

Helen is survived by her three children - Lynda Dyar of Vernon, Sharon Dyar of Vernon, and Richard W. Dyar and wife, Megan Andrejco of Bayonne, NJ and five grandchildren - Brandon and Chelsea Shaw, Sharon’s son and daughter; Emmeline Solomon, Lynda’s daughter; Freddy W. Andrejco Dyar and Collin W. Andrejco Dyar, Richard’s sons.

A memorial service will be held on June 9, 2018 at 11am at First Congregational Church of Vernon. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Room.

Helen’s family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either the CT Humane Society or First Congregational Church of Vernon.