Mary Helen ("Helen") Nisun Giard, 93, of Shelburne, Vermont, formerly of Bridport, Vermont died peacefully on April 11, 2014 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington surrounded by family. Born February 21, 1921 to Katherine (ORourke) and Lucius Nisun, Helen graduated from Middlebury High School and the University of Vermont. In 1949, she married Walter L. Giard and in 1955, they purchased Blue Slate Farm from Walters parents and together lived, worked, and raised their children on the farm overlooking a beautiful, blue stretch of the Adirondack Mountains. Helen will best be remembered by her love of literature and her wonderful gift of encouragement. She was an inspiration to her children, grandchildren, and all those who knew her. At age 64, she went back to UVM and completed her degree in history, graduating alongside her youngest daughter. After her children were grown she began to travel, a lifelong passion, visiting many countries in Europe as well as Egypt, Israel, and Turkey. She had a love of history, culture and geography and enjoyed conversations on a wide array of topics. She was an avid reader, enjoying the New York Times daily, and especially looked forward to Sundays Book Review and Travel sections. The phrase, a life well-lived, aptly describes her ninety-three years, as it was filled with learning, travel, laughter, and the love of her nine children, eighteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Her husband of fifty-three years, Walter, predeceased her in 2002 and her grandson Bryant Giard-Chase predeceased her in 2012. She will be missed and always remembered by her seven daughters and two sons: Debby Stuart and her husband Darrell of Charlotte, NC; Jean Giard of Essex Junction, VT; Ann Giard-Chase and Greg MacConnell of Plattsburgh, NY; Harold Giard and his wife Shirley of Bridport, VT; Joan Giard and her husband Jon Porter, M.D. of Shelburne, VT; Scott Giard of Burlington, VT; Katherine Giard of Anchorage, AK; Jeannette Shields of Brandon, VT; Nancy Giard and her husband Peter Wuerdeman of Queensbury, NY. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Jenn Boulet-Robertson and Michael Boulet; Erik, Gillian, and Kyle Giard-Chase; Sara Giard; Chelsea, Brittany, Jaimie, and Brian Crucitti; Julie and Nicholas Adelman; Esthermarie Eisenhauer; Tim and Stacy Shields; Molly and Emma Wuerdeman; four great grandsons, Charlie and Henry Robertson, Oliver and Weston Boulet and her great-granddaughter, Vanessa Angier, as well as her sisters-in-law Kathryn Myrick and Doris Giard of Bridport, Viola Giard of Farmington, ME and her brother-in-law, Russell Giard of Bridport. Not to be forgotten is her special friend of many years, Pat Long, who loved and cared for Helen and made her laugh. The family expresses their gratitude to her family physician, Dr. Michael Johnson of Evergreen Family Health and to the orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and nurses of McClure 5, Pre-Op, and PACU for their kind support in her final days. Helen blessed us with her graciousness, her kindness, and her encouragement. Her family and her loved ones are grateful that she walked beside us through all her 93 years. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernadettes Catholic Church in Bridport, on Monday, April 21, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the Parish Hall. Sanderson Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bridport PTO c/o Bridport Is Reading Daily (BIRD), Bridport Central School, 3442 Vermont Route 22A, Bridport, VT 05734.