Helen Thayer Chapell, 92, with her beautiful smile, left this world November 11, 2025, in Peterborough, NH. Helen was born in Cambridge, MA, January 18, 1933 to Caroline and Sherman Thayer. Her early and late years were spent in New England on its shores, oceans, woods, and mountains, while keeping a family connection to her mother’s roots in Shelby, NC.
Helen graduated from Smith College in 1955. After college she found her way up to a recently opened Mad River Glen with other young people from the Boston and New York areas, staying at the Oola Lodge, run by either Sewall and Anne Williams or Arthur and Hanne Williams. Things haven’t changed much with Roland Palmedo’s intention to start a non-commercial area. Near her home in Cohasset Helen met her husband Dick Chapell (div.1980, d.2005), with whom she shared a love for the outdoors. Whether it was watching the sunset on the water in Cohasset or at the top of a mountain, Helen loved a view. In the 60’s, she and Dick raised their family of four children in Concord (reluctantly forgoing Vietnam protests) and Andover, MA. She was devoted to her family including eight great-grands. She never missed a performance of the Mad River Chorale at the Waitsfield church when her daughter Milli Chapell sang during Piero Bonamico’s time. Helen used her research skills to delve into family history, to plan trips to Europe, to stay abreast of local and world politics, and to create hiking trips in the Swiss Alps. A simple ceremony was held for her burial in Dublin, NH Cemetery on November 18. A celebration of her life will take place in the spring of 2026 when the Mountain Laurels are in bloom. Predeceased by her son George (d. 2022) (m. Liane), she leaves behind his children George Chapell Jr. (m. Samantha) (Emilia Jo, George III, Edison, Henry) and Brittany Rugel (m. Jerry) (Joshua, Noah, Lia, Audrey); daughters Caroline and Mildred Chapell; son Richard Chapell (M. Sara) (Dylan, Sal, Lucia); and sister Millie Thayer. Donations in her name can be made to your local food pantry, the Monadnock Conservancy, and Destination Cleveland County, Shelby, NC.
