Helen Dearborn Whitter was born on 18 April, 1899, the daughter of Clara Eldora Whittier and William L. Whittier, in Deerfield, New Hampshire, Rockingham County. She died in Gardner on 9 December, 1980. Many GHS classmates will remember her not-so-nice nickname, "The Swamp Lady" or recall that during the 1950's she taught biology and was advisor to the Biology Club. Few of our generation may remember the leadership roles she played as President of the Gardner Teachers Association in the 1940's or the other science subjects she taught during her tenure in Gardner. Miss Whittier also documented local field trips in biology and earth science, including studies of glacial landforms in Gardner, for which she developed carefully mimeographed maps, drawings and handouts to assist students and townspeople in understanding the local landscape. From 1966 to 1976 Miss Whittier led Great Books Discussion Groups in Gardner. She lived in an apartment at 26 Central Street (now demolished) near the Woodland Spa (also gone).
If you have a special memory of Miss Whittier, please use the comment feature on this blog page to add your thoughts about one of Gardner High School's finest teachers.
