Helen A. (Ostrander) Emerson of Bradford, MA died unexpectedly at the age of 84 on January 29, 2016, after a short illness. She was born and raised in Windsor, NY the daughter of the late Caroline and William Ostrander. She was one of four sisters, Ginger Colpitts and Wilda Colpitts of Windsor, NY and the late Madge Ellis of Longwood, Florida. All of whom worked on their family farm in upstate New York when they weren't attending Binghamton North High School. Helen's first job was at the local library. After turning 18 she was hired by General Electric in Johnson City, NY where she met her husband and moved to Georgetown, MA to raise a family. Before retiring, Helen worked at Newman's Furniture in downtown Haverhill, MA where she had many friends and colleagues. She was an avid reader and loved to garden. Helen also was a talented seamstress, and lovingly knit beautiful items for her family through the years. Her sense of humor endured to the very end. She is survived by her children; William Emerson of Bath, NH, Virginia and Cynthia Emerson of NH and Russell Emerson of Melrose, MA. She was the grandmother to nine grandchildren, Frank Gatchell and Nathan Gatchell of Kingston, NH, Amy Gatchell of Mt. Vernon, ME, Courtney Emerson of NYC, Jillian Emerson of Newark, DE, Meredith Emerson of Riverview, FL, Alexandra Emerson of Woburn, MA, Natalie and Rowan Emerson of Melrose, MA. She was also loved by numerous nieces and nephews. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Saturday February, 13, 2016 from 12:00PM-2:00PM, followed by a celebration of life at 2PM. All are respectfully invited to attend. Burial in Upstate New York will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (http://www.alzfdn.org).