Established in 2014, the purpose of the Helen G. Hannon Memorial Scholarship program is to encourage and promote the study of horticulture and/or environmental-related fields. The Deep River Garden Club will award a scholarship in the amount of $500.00 to a graduating Valley Regional High School senior or college student from Deep River, Essex, or Chester, who plans to pursue a degree at an accredited two- or four-year institution in horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, conservation, forestry, agronomy, environmental science, botany, biology, plant pathology or other related field. 

Helen Gwendolyn Hannon was very instrumental in making the Deep River Garden Club successful in its earlier years. Helen was dedicated to many of Deep River’s interests, in which the garden club was just one. She served the DRGC in many capacities at different times; Secretary, Treasurer and President. Through many years of service to the town, her dedication, devotion, energy and spirit lead the way. At Helen’s death in 1968 she willed to the Deep River Garden Club a sizeable amount of money for the beautification of Deep River to be used for the purchase of trees and shrubs in town. Many plantings were made with these funds and still to this day the fund is available for future additions and projects.

The Garden Club intends to continue the tradition of presenting a scholarship to a qualified senior and this year it will be known as the Helen G. Hannon Memorial Scholarship. This is very appropriate for Helen first taught at the Deep River High School (which is now the Deep River Elementary School) and then at Valley Regional High School. 

Her career in teaching business courses covered a span from 1934 until her retirement in 1968. She graduated in 1930 from State Teachers College in Plymouth, NH. After a few years of teaching in NH she relocated to Deep River, built her own home, and stayed until her death in 1987 at the age of 77 years old.

Helen was very involved with the Deep River Historical Society and there are a few personal items of hers that are held there for display. The Deep River Library was also a benefactor of her volunteering and support.

It is with this generous spirit, dedication to service and loyalty to the town and residents of Deep River that the Garden Club strives to duplicate a portion of that and honor her somewhat as a “mascot” for our club.

Future plantings will be set into place from some of the remaining funds for which it was originally designated. A special planting in town will be dedicated in her honor with appreciation for all she has done to make Deep River the place that we are proud to call home.

Helen was a strong willed and determined woman who was years before her time and set an example for all who professionally worked with her, were educated through her teaching and volunteered in the various clubs and organizations that were lucky enough to have her be part of.

The Deep River Garden Club is appreciative for all her efforts and contributions both physically and financially. She is most likely one of many past members that were so instrumental in making the club that it is today, and we also honor those unrecognized members for their efforts and contributions.

Susanne Wisner, Former Deep River Garden Club Secretary

2015