Helen Platt Goss Vibberts

Helen Platt Goss Vibberts was born on July 20th, 1916, at 48 Grove Hill in New Britain, Connecticut. Her father was Stanley T. Goss and mother was Louise Platt Goss. Helen graduated from the Oxford School in Hartford in 1933 and from Vassar College in 1937. She spent the next two years teaching dyslectic students at the Forman School in Litchfield, Connecticut, under the direction of Dr. Samuel Orton, one the first doctors to diagnose dyslexia and develop a treatment for it. Just after the outbreak of World War II, Helen volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy as a WAVE officer, setting a pattern of service she would follow all her life. Helen was trained in communications in Northampton, Massachusetts and reported for duty to the office of the New York City Port Director where she was promoted to head of the coding department. She later received a posting to the Fleet Naval Radio Station in Wahiawa on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. After the war, she mustered out of the Navy as a full lieutenant. Helen then moved back to New York where she worked for Time Inc. in the communications office and eventually progressed to the newsroom. She was offered a job as head of the newsroom in Paris, but declined the position. On May 12th, 1951, Helen married Jack Vibberts in New Britain, Connecticut. The couple moved to Farmington for two years, then Southington, where Helen lived for the rest of her life. Helen and Jack designed their Southington home, helped build it and loved working together clearing the woods, planting the gardens and establishing the lawns. She was predeceased by Jack in 1998. As a small child, Helen spent her summers in Nantucket at her parents home on Pawguvet Lane. She loved being aboard Gaviota, her fathers motorboat. When she married Jack, Helen began spending her summers on Marthas Vineyard at the home of Jacks parents in Harthaven. Helen loved to fish Vineyard waters for blues and striped bass aboard Jacks boat Windward II. Helen and Jack traveled a lot often to England, Wales and Ireland and on many cruises aboard friends boats exploring Bermuda, the Exumas and the British Virgin islands. Later in life, Jack purchased Skimmer, a 29 foot Dyer power boat, in which they cruised Long Island Sound, Gardners Bay and the Vineyard Sound often mooring her in Harthaven Harbor. Helen loved to play golf and tennis and was an avid bridge player. She enjoyed sewing and needlepoint. Helen was a constant volunteer. Among her first loves was the New Britain Museum of American Art, where she served on the Womens Committee from 1967 until her death and was secretary-treasurer for twenty-two years. She helped edit the museums newsletter and helped establish the museums traditional Twelve Days of Christmas. She was a member of the Building and Grounds Committee. A Blood Bank Captain of her local Red Cross for thirty years she also served as a Board member. She edited the Volunteer Newsletter. She was given three Red Cross awards, one of them the Volunteer of the Year award for 1985-86. She was also secretary of the Connecticut Red Cross Connecticut Council. Helen was a devoted member of the First Church of Christ-Congregational in New Britain, serving as a member of the Womens Fellowship, co-chairman of the Flower Committee and as one of three chairmen for the Building Committee for the new church on Corbin Avenue. She was a member of the New Britain Garden Club since the early 1950s; She served as President from 1962-1964 and received an award for 50 years of endless support and enthusiasm She was also made an honorary life member of the Federated Garden Clubs in Connecticut. Helen was a member of the New Britain Jaycees and the New Britain Civic Improvement Committee. On Saturday morning, November 12th, Helen passed away peacefully at New Britain General Hospital in the company of her family. She is survived by her brother, Charles P. Goss of Bloomfield; her sister, Elizabeth G. Young of Bloomfield; her sister-in-law Phronsie V. Conlin of Marthas Vineyard, Mass; and many nephews and nieces. A memorial service will be held Saturday November 19, 2005 2 PM at First Church of Christ Congregational, 830 Corbin Avenue, New Britain. There are no calling hours. Donations to honor Helen may be made to the charity of the donors choice. The Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share a memory or note of sympathy with Helens family by clicking on "GUESTBOOK" at the bottom of this page.

Helen Platt Goss Vibberts

July 20, 1916 - November 12, 2005

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Helen Platt Goss Vibberts

July 20, 1916 - November 12, 2005

365 Days of Grief Support

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About Us

Grief & Healing

What We Do

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Plan Ahead

Resources

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