From the day she arrived Jan. 18, 1952, Helen Dorothy Pettypiece was a special girl.
Helen was born with Down's Syndrome and little was known about the condition in the 1950s. As was customary at that time, her parents were advised to send their baby girl to an institution for care.
Helen's mother Eleanor and father Brien would have none of that.
"Helen was a sweetheart to have in our family,” her mother said. “Just by knowing Helen, she interested more people in learning about this handicap."
Four more girls – Nancy, Kathy, Joy and Janice – completed the family. When it was time for Helen to start school, her family rallied with others to raise funds for Sun Parlour Junior School for special needs children in Essex County.
