SALEM – Mrs. Helen Jean (Auchterlonie) Gifford, 77, Salem, beloved wife of Thomas Gifford, passed away on Wednesday May 21, 2025 at The Kaplan Family Hospice House surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness.

Raised and educated in Andover with her brother Butch and her sister Barbara, Helen was the daughter of the late Norman and Lorraine (Hamel) Auchterlonie. She was a graduate of Andover High School, and continued her education at Salem State College, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in English. At Salem State, Helen met her husband Tom with whom she would raise three children and spend 54 wonderful years together.

Following college, Helen embarked on a long and successful career as an editor in the newspaper industry.  She began her journey at The Swampscott Reporter before moving to Northshore Weekly, and in 1990 transferred to The Salem News, where she retired in 2018. Helen's fierce intelligence, integrity, and compassion endeared her to her newsroom and launched lifelong friendships.

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Helen was devoted to her family. Her happiest memories were of watching her children play during quiet family vacations on Swan's Island, and days spent reading with her grandchildren. Her kindness, patience, gentleness and grace are an inspiration to her children.

Helen was an avid reader and enjoyed quiet mornings with a book and a piping hot cup of Earl Grey tea. She and Tom and her sister, Barbara, loved to travel; together they enjoyed high tea in London, gelato in Florence and pain au chocolat in Paris, all while seeing as much art as they could fit into a day. Helen also loved the ballet, and she enjoyed introducing it to her daughters and granddaughter. She loved spending time outdoors, bringing her grandchildren to favorite playgrounds, hiking with her friend Marnie and dining al fresco with her friend Margo.

Her compassion for others did not stop with her family and work; over the years she volunteered at Crombie Street Shelter, HAWC, the Salem Pantry, and most recently at the Brookhouse Home for Women in Salem.

She will be deeply missed.

Helen is survived by her husband Tom, her children, Sally Gifford of Salem, Amy Gifford and her partner Kenneth Bartlett, of Salem and Jamie Gifford and his wife Leana Nordstrom of Medford, her grandchildren, David and Mary Gifford-Bartlett, and Liara Gifford, her sister, Barbara Crowley of East Bridgewater, and her brother, Norman Auchterlonie and his wife Julie of Clay, NY and several nieces and nephews.

ARRANGMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Helen's visiting hours which will be held at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM on Thursday May 29th from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. The burial is private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Helen's memory to Brookhouse Home, 180 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970 https://brookhousehome.com/support-brookhouse/. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

The Brookhouse Home for Aged Women
180 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970