AUGUSTA - Helen Ward Farrington, 96, passed Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, at Heritage Living Center in Winthrop. She was born in Unity on Feb. 28, 1914, the daughter of Gustave and Olive (Roberts) Ward. Helen graduated from Unity High School at the age of 14 and continued on to Farmington Normal School. She graduated with a teaching certificate after one year of instruction. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse -- all eight grades -- with a wood stove and an outhouse! Helen was married to Harold Parkhurst of Unity and had two daughters, Marilyn Parkhurst Sirois and Lorraine Parkhurst Rowe. She then married Henry Barton of Albion and had two more daughters, Connie Barton Barba and Kathy Barton Chapman. Chet Farrington and Helen were married for 38 years until his passing in 1985. Helen worked in the office at Hallowell Shoe Co., Hallowell, and then Auerbach Shoe Co. in Brunswick. Upon retirement, Helen and Chet wintered at Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Helen was able to continue wintering in Florida for nearly 40 years! They summered on Bailey Island until Helen moved to Augusta in 1990. Besides Chet, Helen was predeceased by a brother, Morris Ward, formerly of Massachusetts; sister-in-law Josephine 'Joe' Ward; and son-in-law Verne 'Sonny' Rowe. Helen is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Erma and Robert Elwell, of Unity; daughters and sons-in-law Marilyn and Clarence Sirois of Augusta, Lorraine Rowe of Palermo, Connie and Edwin Barba of San Carlos, Calif., and Kathy and Dick Chapman of Monroe, N.C., and Old Orchard Beach. In 2002, Helen's brother-in-law, Phil Farrington, came to live with her. They enjoyed each other's company for four years until she needed to be cared for by Marilyn and Clarence. Phil now resides in Saratoga, N.Y. Helen had 17 grandchildren, Verne Rowe Jr., Patti Rowe Bouchard, Mark Rowe, Cheryl Rowe DeRaps, Wayne Rowe, Cindy Rowe Webb, Glenn Rowe, Deanne Sirois Lavallee, Michael Sirois, David Sirois, Beth Chapman Kelley and Kristina Chapman Lawhead, all of Maine, Janet Sirois Downes and Margie Sirois Scott, of Florida, Richard Chapman Jr. of Illinois and Timothy and Steven Barba of California; and 25 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren, of whom many five-generation photos have been taken over the years! Helen is also survived by her Heritage family, who provided her 24-hour care for 4 1/2 years and loved her as their own. This is the Heritage way! We wish to express our sincere appreciation to each and every Heritage staff member for Grammie's exemplary care and the love you share with each of your residents. Friends and relatives are invited to visit from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, where a celebration of Helen's life will follow at 2 p.m. Following her service, all are welcome to a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Spring Street in Gardiner. Interment will be held in Pond Cemetery, Unity, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Helen's memory to a charity of one's choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.