Helen Elizabeth Danner

Helen Elizabeth Danner, 86, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026.

Born on February 15, 1940, in Mount Vernon, New York, she was the daughter of Frederick Baxter Danner and Elizabeth Neill Danner. Helen lived a life defined by service, travel, compassion, and deep commitment to her community, family and her cats (especially crown prince Simba).

She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton College in 1961 and her Master of Arts from New York University in 1964. Over the course of her professional life, Helen contributed her talents to a number of respected organizations, including the National Audubon Society, the Rockefeller Foundation, the International Council for Education, The Salvation Army, and the League of Red Cross Societies in Geneva, Switzerland and Australia.

Helen’s dedication to service extended far beyond her professional work. A longtime and devoted member of the First Congregational Church since 1976, she served in many roles over the years, including Deacon, Clerk, member of the Music Committee, volunteer at the bookshop and choir member from 1974 to 2018. She also managed the International Mission Gift Shop and participated in mission trips to Uganda, Ghana (twice), and Guatemala.

Her commitment to humanitarian efforts was equally evident in her extensive volunteer work. She was deeply involved with the American Red Cross, serving with the Litchfield Chapter as Chapter Chair, Board Member, Disaster Chair, and Health & Safety Chair, as well as a CPR/AED instructor and national disaster volunteer. Helen also volunteered at New Milford Hospital in both the Family Birthing Center and Emergency Department, and she served as an EMT with the Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance from 2002 until her retirement in 2015.

Though Helen never married and had no children, she was surrounded by a loving adopted family who meant the world to her. She is lovingly remembered by Reverend Dr. James and Diane Scovil; S. Sean Scovil and his wife, Michele Hartford, and their children, Jack and Tate; S. Ryan Scovil and Ana Kelly; and D. Suzanne Higginson and her husband, James Higginson, along with their children, Austin, William, and Annika McLean, his daughter, Hannah, and their daughter, Charlotte.

Helen will be remembered for her love of reading and singing, her strong and persistent dedication to others, her quiet influence on children’s lives, her sharp attention to detail, her love for her family, and the time she gave the cat a bath.  Her life was a testament to service, and her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched. 

Memorial service to be held at Litchfield Congregational Church on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 1 PM.  Interment at East cemetery in Litchfield immediately following service. Gleeson-Ryan Funeral Home, Torrington, is in care of arrangements.

Memorial gifts can be sent to Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance and/or SERRV International (SERRV.org or 122 State Street, Suite 600., Madison, WI 53703)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Elizabeth Danner, please visit our floral store.