Helen Louise (Comins) Scarborough, of Sea Shrimp Cottage in Oak Bluffs and Largo, Fla., died peacefully at home on Feb. 26.

She born Sept. 13, 1925, the daughter of the late Adam B. Comins (Kaminskus) and Maryanne (Swaikowski) Comins.

She graduated from grade schools in Russellville, Hopkins Academy in Hadley, and Northampton Commercial in Northampton. She worked as secretary to the manager of the book store at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

While living in Florida, Helen was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Largo. While living on Martha’s Vineyard, she attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oak Bluffs. She was a life member and past president of VFW Auxiliary #754 Amherst, offices in Western County Council and State Department. She was a member of Unity Chapter Eastern Star #66 in Amherst and past High Priestess of Helma Court #65, Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America in Springfield. She was also a member of Royal Order of Jesterettes, in Hammond, Ind; associate member of Faculty Club at UMass Amherst; member of Amherst Grange, Juvenile Grange and Amherst Camera Club and photographer model for three years for New England Council of Camera Club.

She was a den mother, pack secretary and council leader of Cub Scouts and a Brownie leader. She also served on the board of directors and as chairperson of the lease committee for the Camp Meeting Association in Oak Bluffs, and helped run the Bass and Bluefish derby for 12 years. In July 2002, she was inducted into the derby hall of fame for her years of dedicated service to the organization.

Helen enjoyed writing all her life. She had a newspaper column in the Amherst Record in Amherst. Her favorite sayings were “There’s a special place in Heaven for you, but don’t rush” and “When you get to the bottom of the barrel, the only way is up.”

She worked many years taking care of elderly patients in their homes, most of them terminally ill. She was doing “hospice” before it had a name.

She very much loved nature and flowers. She had a passion for oil painting and a deep love of family and people. She had dozens of “adopted sons and daughters. She was always ready to help others and extremely generous with her time.

Helen married Donald E. Thornton in 1945; they divorced in 1955. She married Henry Scarborough in 1960. He predeceased her in 1999.

She leaves three sons: Henry F. Scarborough Jr. of Northampton; Barry R. Thornton of Corpus Christi, Tex.; and Kevin H. Scarborough of South Deerfield; and a daughter, Diane E. Dubuque of Fairfax, Vt. Another son, Kenneth Scarborough, predeceased her in 1951. She also leaves two sisters, Alice Whitcomb of Sunderland and Dorothy Bartos of Greenfield, a brother, Chester Comins of Agawam, 17 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Horizons Geriatrics of Martha’s Vineyard took care of Helen the final three years of her life. Without the help of Sandi and Beth she would not have been able to stay at home as she wished.

As she requested, her body will be donated to Worcester Medical School. In lieu of flowers, she asked that any donations be made to: Hope Hospice, 765 Attucks Ln., Hyannis, MA 02601.

Memorial services will be held April 1 at 2 p.m. at VFW Post 754, 457 Main street in Amherst, and in Oak Bluffs during the summer.