Helen Hedges Kidder died peacefully at her home in Ghent, NY, Friday, May 23. She was the loving wife of Donald M Kidder who predeceased her in 1997 after 55 years of marriage.   She was born in Chicago Illinois in 1921, the elder daughter of broadcasting pioneer William S Hedges and his wife Margaret Hasenbalg Hedges and lived in Wilmette IL. She graduated from Mamaroneck High School in Westchester County NY and then attended Maryland College for Women prior to her marriage in 1942.   After World War II, Helen and Donald settled in the Chicago area living first in Park Ridge before moving to Barrington Hills in 1955. Over the years she was active in many organizations including the Experiment In International Living, Town Hall Lecture Series, Garden Club, League of Women Voters, Mothers Club, and PTA.   In 1972 they moved to Vail Colorado where Helen pursued her interest in art, learning to water color, attending Colorado Mountain College, and joining the Art League. In the 1980s they also established a home at the Ocean Reef Club, in Key Largo Florida. There she was active in the Questers, pursued her interest in antiques, renewed many old friendships, and grew an extensive collection of orchids.   She is survived by her six children; Meg (Conrad) Brown of Ghent, NY,  Elizabeth Kidder of Youngsville, NY, Richard Kidder (Randy Klocko) of Palm Springs, CA, Jenny Kidder of Laramie WY, Deborah Kidder (Wayne Moffitt) of Wheatridge, CO, and Patricia (Brooks) Tyler of Moab, UT, her seven grandchildren; Meg Eberhart-Veniegas, Pam Eberhart, Yasuko (Derek) Rolvsbakken, Nicholas (Austin) Dokai, William Dokai, Austin Tyler, and Grace Tyler, and her four great grandchildren; Jason Eberhart, Zada Veniegas, Keiko Rolvsbakken, and Gabriel Dokai.   Graveside services will be June 7 at 11am in Evergreen cemetery, Barrington, IL. To send an online condolence visit www.frenchblasl.com.