Helen Nahkala

West Yarmouth / Oakham - Helen (Bealand) Nahkala, 97, of West Yarmouth, and a former long-time resident of Oakham, died on Monday morning, August 12, 2024, at Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Rockland, Massachusetts.

She leaves four sons, Donald R. Nahkala of Warren, Richard C. Nahkala of West Yarmouth, Norman W. Nahkala of Hemel Hempstead, England, and George Van Deusen of Worcester; two daughters, Joan A. Barber of Greensboro Bend, VT, and Helen Chaplin of Lawton, OK, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Weikko I. Nahkala in 1988, her sons Raymond Nahkala and Weikko I. Nahkala, Jr., her daughter, Lily C. Davis, and her sister, Stella Ivanowski.  She was born in Worcester, daughter of the late Arthur and Stella Sweeney.

After moving to Cape Cod, Helen worked as a Secretary and Bookkeeper at the Salvation Army in Hyannis for 10 years before retiring in 1994.

In addition to raising her large family, Helen was a member of the East Brookfield Baptist Church where she taught Bible Study for young mothers. She was also an Honorary Life Member of Past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Stella Chapter #3 in Auburn, and the Matakese Chapter #158 in South Yarmouth, a former member of Mid-Cape Council on AIDs, the Cape Cod Council of Churches and served 3 years on the Pastoral Committee, Cape Cod Church Women United where we she served as former vice-president.  She was a charter member of the Hyannis Corps of the Salvation Army and its first and only Corps Sergeant Major.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday morning, August, 17, 2024 at 10:30am in the Varnum Funeral Home, Inc., 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield.  A calling hour will be held in the funeral home from 9:30 to 10:30am prior to the service. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery in Oakham.

An online guest book is available at varnumfuneralhome.com