Helen Woodman Harrington
Helen Esther (Woodman) Harrington, editor emeritus of the State
House News Service in Boston, died suddenly January 23 at her home in North Conway, New Hampshire. She was 74.
A native of Medford, Helen was the daughter of the late Arthur and Helen (McLeod) Woodman and wife of the late William Harrington, Boston TV and radio news reporter and sportscaster.
Helen is survived by her two brothers, Wendell Woodman of Florence MA, and Roy and his wife Janet Woodman of Hudson, NH. Her nieces Kristen Faiola and her husband Jason of Arlington MA and Heather Crowley and her husband Kevin of Chester, NH. Her Nephews Christopher Woodman and Serafina Restaino of Easthampton MA, Jeffrey and his wife Denise Woodman of Aurora, CO and the late Scott V. Woodman. Her grandnieces Katherine, Natalie and Elizabeth Faiola and Isabelle and Ava Crowley; and her grandnephew Scott Woodman.
After earning her degree in English Literature at the University of
New Hampshire, Helen began her journalism career in 1964 at the New England News Service her father, Arthur Woodman, had founded in 1929.
In 1972, she was hired by ACTION in Boston to recruit senior staff personnel for the Peace Corps and federal agencies. She eventually relocated to ACTION’s offices in Washington DC where she was responsible for recruiting country directors and other high level personnel for foreign assignments. Helen’s professionalism and courtesy, hallmarks throughout her life, drew respect from elected officials, government employees and peers throughout her career.
When owner/editor Paul Ryan of the State House News Service in Boston fell ill in 1979, he asked Helen to manage the business in his stead -- with the prospect of acquiring it from him, which she did. Her experience recognizing talent in young reporters helped her build an outstanding team of reporters. In a tribute to Helen posted on the SHNS website, Craig Sandler and Michael Norton recounted: "She guided, improved and expanded the News Service and its coverage through the 1980s and 1990s, leaving an indelible mark on the journalism of her time and beyond."
Even though she was dedicated to each career position she took on, Helen always devoted time to her family. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. She made everything an adventure, exploring with them around Washington DC and after returning to Boston she would lead the children on expeditions throughout the city. They loved being with Auntie Helen.
When she and Bill retired they spent the majority of their time in North Conway. They loved the Mount Washington Valley, the change of seasons and the natural splendor of the area. She and Bill were ardent golfers and skiers and members of the North Conway Country Club.
As seasons changed, Helen would alternate work between the Mount Washington Theater Company Playhouse at the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway to the ski resort at Mount Cranmore. Her most recent enjoyment was tending the flowers at the nursery at the Lowe's Home Improvement outlet in North Conway.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on February 9 at the
Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home, 29 Governors Ave., Medford, MA followed by a short memorial service.
A brief prayer service will also be held at the Furber & White Funeral Home, 2925 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH on February 11, preceded by visiting hours from 2 to 5 p.m. Helen will be interred with her beloved husband at Kearsarge Cemetery in North Conway, NH in a private ceremony at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association. www.heart.org