Obituary of Helen Nasberg

Helen Francis Witham Nasberg, beloved wife and mother, died peacefully in her sleep at the age of ninety- three on October 13th, 2021. Born August 12th, 1928 in the farmhouse on Spring Road in Augusta, Helen was the youngest of four children and, according to many, was the fairest of them all. Helen was the daughter of Phyllis Cates Witham and Jennings Witham. Even as a youngster, she had an interest in history and her eighth grade writing project was to interview her grandmother, Anna, from Sweden and to record her story of coming to America by steamship. A tall, willowy blond, Helen was known in high school for her gracefulness and for being very quiet. After graduating from Cony High School in 1947, Helen trained to become a dental assistant and eventually worked in this role for several local dentists and at Togus Veterans Hospital. A young beauty, Helen had many suitors, but the beau who stole her heart was a handsome young man, fresh out of the Korean War, who descended from Swedes in Monson, Maine. Helen’s grandma, Anna, was delighted with this match. Helen married Donald Nasberg in 1955 and they had two daughters, Brenda and Beth. Their family was raised in the Nazarene church of Augusta, where Helen was a Sunday school teacher for many years and served on the church board. Helen, and her husband Donald, both worked at Togus Hospital where Helen also held the office of chief steward, helping many employees over the years. During vacations, Helen and Donald enjoyed trips to England (where their daughter, Brenda, lived for fourteen years) as well as trips to Greece and Nova Scotia. Always fascinated by history, Helen eventually followed her instincts, taking many courses, to become an antique dealer. At one time she had a very successful shop in Hallowell, Maine – Mother Goose Antiques. This gave her the opportunity to make lots of friends – both customers to her shop as well as fellow dealers on the street. She also enjoyed taking her wares to the market in Montsweag, Maine every summer. A very energetic lady, Helen enjoyed this passion until she retired from her work at age ninety. She was always amazed, when attending Cony High School reunions, to find that she was one of her few classmates still working. This work, as well as her fervent faithfulness in the church, gave her great purpose in life, as well as her love and concern for animals. She took in more than one stray cat and always fed the birds. Helen had a very generous spirit and this was shown in the many charities she supported. She was especially kind to her church family at Christian Life Fellowship, which she attended in later years. She brought flowers each season for the congregation to enjoy and helped less privileged young people. Christmas was Helen’s favorite holiday. Her home was always decked out in Christmas lights and she was very enthusiastic about giving gifts to her family. She loved her girls and she was very fond of their husbands and of her grandson and his wife. Helen’s goodness was shown in many ways throughout her life, from rounding up kids to take to Sunday School to donating to St. Jude Hospital, and if anyone deserves a place in heaven, it is Helen. Helen is survived by her daughter, Brenda Jepson and her husband, Alan Jepson, of Stockholm Maine; her daughter Beth Olsen and her husband, Eric Olsen, of Manchester, Maine; and her grandson, Charles Wesley Rucker, and his wife Kat, of Bath, Maine. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Nasberg, and her grandson, Erik Jepson. Due to Covid concerns, a private family service will take place at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Augusta this month, but a celebration of Helen’s life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory may be sent to PALS (no kill animal shelter), 188 Case Rd, Winthrop, ME 04364 or to Christian Life Fellowship Church, 1158 Eastern Ave, Chelsea, ME 04330. Tributes may be left at: directcremationofmaine.com