Helen Colburn

Helen Jane Colburn, 96, of Vincennes, passed away June 22, 2016, at Good Samaritan Hospital.Helen worked for the Bemis Company, which manufactured paper bags, some of which were used by potato farmers in this area. During WWII, she worked as a telephone operator. On the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, she worked 24 hours, continually patching through calls from military personnel, calling their families to let them know that they had survived the attack.Born August 1, 1919, in Pepperell, MA, Helen was the daughter of Amos Daniel and Marian (Barton) Mahony. Her parents; her husband, Maurice Colburn; and a son, James A. Colburn preceded her.Surviving are her daughters, Nancy Colburn of Vincennes, and Betsy Hartwell of Windham, Maine; a brother, Robert Mahony; and her grandchildren, Heather Martin, Rebecca Hartwell, Jennifer Carnes, James Colburn, and Gary Colburn; and her great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Jack, Irven, Elias, Elisa, and Jordan.There will be no public services. Goodwin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.Donations in her memory may be made to the Knox County Humane Society. Online condolences may be sent to the family through goodwinfamilyfh.com.