Helen E. (Bode) Carney, 101, of North Andover, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 at the Sutton Hill Nursing Home in North Andover, surrounded by her family. Helen's deep faith carried her throughout life's joys and sadness. Helen was born and educated in North Andover, Massachusetts, and later graduated from Lowell State Teachers College in 1931. Upon graduation, Helen's first teaching position was in North Andover's historical one-room Johnson Street School. Helen was known for her kindness and strong will. She was dedicated to her family and worked hard to keep everyone together. She also enjoyed playing Bingo with her friends, knitting, the holidays and the many special events with her family.
Helen was the widow of the late John T. Carney, a former Lawrence Police detective who passed away in 1975. She is survived by her sons John R. Carney and his wife Jeanne, Richard T. Carney and his wife Ann, Raymond L. Carney, and her daughter-in-law Deanne Carney. Also among Helen's survivors are her 17 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her daughter Ruth L. LeBlanc, her son William J. Carney, grandsons Jeffrey LeBlanc and Joseph Carney, daughter-in-law Patricia Carney, and two sisters Ruth Bode Tracey and Mary Bode Littlefield.
Helen was blessed with a long fulfilled life and will surely be missed by all. Her legacy was to never give up and to keep going forward.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover, MA. Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., following the calling hours, at Saint Michael's Church in North Andover, MA. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence, MA. For online condolences and other information please visit us at www.breenfuneralhome.com.
In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the: Sutton
Hill Center, 1801 Turnpike St. North Andover, MA, 01845.