Helen M. (Bajdek) Ponti, 65 of Merrimack, NH died Saturday October 19, 2024 from lung cancer at her daughter's home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Chelsea, MA on November 26, 1958, a daughter of Rosemary M. (Gandolfo) Bajdek and late Stephen F. Bajdek. Helen was a communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Merrimack, NH.

Helen was an incredible mother, known for her talent, resilience, and drive. She met the love of her life, her late husband Maurice "Rick" A. Ponti, Jr., on a blind date.  After their honeymoon in Hawaii, they then embarked on a life of adventure, traveling the world together due to Rick's career as a geologist. Helen often reminisced about their trips to Kuwait, Egypt, Italy, Switzerland, and many other places both abroad and across the United States.

When they began their family, they established the tradition of visiting the University of Maine in Orono, where Rick earned his engineering degree. As their children grew, family day trips became a cherished tradition, with "mystery rides" to Vermont, Maine, and various stops along the way. Helen especially enjoyed antique shopping and weekend craft store visits with her family. She was highly creative, pouring her talent into floral arrangements, crocheted blankets, wooden dolls, and the beloved "time-out dolls." Recently, she found joy in making decorative wreaths, passing her crafting skills on to her daughters

Helen will be forever loved and remembered by her three children, Danielle Ponti, Nicole Ponti, and Michael Ponti and his wife Lauren; her six cherished grandchildren, Anthony, Jayden, Aryanna, Giovanni, Eliana, Luca; her two brothers, Stephen and Michael Bajdek; her sister Stephanie Russo and brother-in-law John Russo, and all of her nieces and nephews as well as her life-long friends.

Calling hours will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home, 425 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack on Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 4 – 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 16 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 9:30 AM. Burial will follow at St. Louis Cemetery, W. Hollis Street in Nashua.