Helen Kitchel, devoted aunt, sister, friend and teacher, passed away at 76 on Orr’s Island, Maine, on Dec. 5, 2025. She was born in Philadelphia on Nov. 17, 1949, to Catherine Brackin Kitchel and H. Sheldon Kitchel.
She graduated from Penn State in 1971 and from the University of Northern Colorado in 1974 with a master’s degree in special education. She recalled her first teaching assignment on the Navajo reservation in Arizona as one of the most fulfilling of her career.
Moving to Vermont in 1978, she served as a learning specialist at Shoreham and Bridport schools before beginning a 25-year teaching career at Mary Hogan Elementary School in Middlebury.
In 2008, Helen moved to Maine, where she continued teaching in Sanford. In 2015, she retired to Orr’s Island, where she had spent most summers of her life at the family cottage.
Helen brought warmth and positivity to her many communities. She served on the All Saints Chapel Committee and the Orr’s Island Library board. She was president of the Mingo Club, a group of island women that awards scholarships to local high school students.
Her favorite pastime was reading. Helen also enjoyed combing beaches for sea glass and heart rocks, singing her heart out at Jackson Browne concerts, and following sports — especially baseball, tennis and figure skating.
Helen was preceded in death by her sister, Ann K. Poland. She will be fondly remembered by her brother, Ned Kitchel (Charlene Post); her nieces, Katie Knightly (Conor) and Zoë Kitchel (Chris Free); her nephew, Byron Poland; two great-nieces and three great-nephews; many cousins and friends; and her faithful goldendoodle, Fenway.
A celebration of Helen’s life will take place at 2 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2026, at All Saints Chapel on Orr’s Island, Maine. In her honor, we encourage donations to the Orr’s Island Library, the Mingo Club, All Saints Chapel, or an organization in your community that supports children. Helen was the first to remind us that children are our best hope for the future.
To offer condolences and share fond memories, please visit brackettfh.com to view Helen’s online memorial.
