HAMPTON BEACH - Helen C. Gilmore, 96, of 3B Ocean Boulevard, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005, at Exeter Hospital.

She was born Nov. 4, 1909, in Hough's Neck, a section of Quincy, Mass., the daughter of the late Roy and Helen (Moore) Smith.

She owned and operated Smith & Gilmore Fishing Pier at Hampton Beach for many years. In the early 1950s she built the Hampton Beach Marina with her brother George Smith.

Upon her retirement she raised roses and always had a vegetable garden. She also enjoyed knitting hats - more than 200 a year. In December she gave the hats to local charities to give to anyone who could use them, especially children.

Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Foote of Hampton Beach; a son, C. Raymond Gilmore and his wife, Arlene, of Naples, Fla.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Claude R. Gilmore, in 1941.

If desired, donations may be made to the Seacoast Visiting Nurse Association, 29 Lafayette Road, North Hampton NH 03862. Arrangements are by the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, Hampton. For more information, visit www.remickgendron.com