Helen Ford Spalding died at home on May 26. She was 87.

She was born on Nov. 6, 1921, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of Sumner and Helen (Jordan) Ford. She married James W. Spalding on Feb. 14, 1942. He predeceased her in 1999. They came to the Vineyard to live permanently in 1971 after spending weekends and vacations on the Island for 16 years. Both Helen and Jim loved the Island and were active participants in the community.

She is survived by her sister Jean Smith of New York city; a son Ford and his wife Chip of Dover; a daughter Mary and her husband Reg Jewett of Denver, Colo.; a grandson Henry and his wife Tara and two great-granddaughters of Dover; a granddaughter Katherine Connor and her husband Scott of Attleboro; two step-grandchildren, Shawn Jewett of Alamosa, Colo. and Jared Jewett of Greensboro, N.C.

She was predeceased by a son Bill of San Francisco, Calif., a brother James Ford of Woodstock, Vt., and sister Anne Pierce of New York city.

At her request services will be private.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral home in Oak Bluffs.