Helen L. Field, of Loomis Village in South Hadley, formerly of Amherst, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, after nearly 100 years of creative, adventurous and determined living. She grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, the daughter of John and Agnes Long, and was married to her beloved best friend, William Field, for over 60 years. She held degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University, Temple University and the University of Massachusetts. Over the course of her life, she worked as a summer camp waterfront director, mathematician, psychologist, college professor, and finally, as the chair of the Social Sciences Division at Holyoke Community College.

Helen enjoyed wildlife and scenic beauty as a lifelong hiker and canoeist, especially on the many wilderness trips she and Bill took in the boundary waters of Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario. Helen was an accomplished knitter, seamstress, gardener, cook and baker, an avid reader and a skillful writer who created dozens of essays about her life and family. Helen’s love of dogs was a steadfast passion she shared with her children and grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her son, Jonathan Field of Fort Scott, Kansas; daughters Nancy Field and her husband Jim Becker of Windsor, Connecticut; and Margaret Light and her husband Rick of Pelham, Massachusetts; and grandsons Tim Light and his wife Christina of Northborough, Massachusetts, Alex Light and his partner Alexandra of Oakland, California, and Jake Light and his wife Jill of Seattle, Washington.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Loomis Village, particularly the saints in Assisted Living, as well as the Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice for their loving care of Helen at the end of her life.

It is her wish that no funeral or memorial services be held. Her family will gather at a later date to celebrate her life. Memorial donations in honor of Helen may be sent to the Dakin Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA  01101 or https://www.dakinhumane.org/tribute-donation