Helen W. (Gower) Sproul

Providence - Helen W. Sproul (Gower), 90, of Providence, died Thursday, February 26, 2026 at West Shore Health Center, Warwick.

Born in Garden City, New York, she was the daughter of John W. and Helen M. Sproul of Rumford RI and So. Florida, and granddaughter of Rev. Nathaniel J. Sproul, minister of the Presbyterian Church Newport, RI. Helen had resided in Providence, RI for many years.

Ms. Sproul was a graduate of Lincoln School, Providence, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the Katharine Gibbs School. Helen was always on the go and very active walking the East Side of Providence socializing and antiquing. She worked for many years as the Membership Secretary for the Rhode Island Historical Society, and John Brown House Providence, and had previously worked as a secretary for Dr. John H. Barrall, M.D., Brown University and Harvard University.

She volunteered for many years at the Moses Brown School Library, John Howland Library, and the clinic at Planned Parenthood. Most importantly Helen was a "friend of Bill W" for over 50 years, spending most of her time making a huge difference in so many lives, sharing her experience, strength and hope.

She is survived by a daughter, Lynne G. Smith of Westport, Massachusetts; two sons, John R. Gower of Newport, Rhode Island and David C. Gower of Wrentham, Massachusetts; six grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Helen was preceded in death by her son, William "Billy" W. Gower, her parents, John Wright Sproul Sr. and Helen M. Sproul, her brother, John Wright Sproul Jr., and her sister, Beverly Dorney.

Her funeral will be held Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM in the Historic Swan Point Chapel, 585 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence. Burial will follow in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence. Family and friends are invited. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted. To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements with Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.

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