Helen Mary (Donovan) Sheehan, of Brockton and West Yarmouth, died surrounded by her family on Tuesday June 12, 2012 after a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late John F. Sheehan for 60 years. Helen was born on August 19, 1918, the daughter of the late M. Joseph and Margaret L. (Pendergast) Donovan and was a lifelong resident of Brockton.
She was a 1936 graduate of St. Patrick’s High School in Brockton and maintained friendships with many dear classmates over the years. She continued her education, graduating from Brockton Business School and later attended night classes at Stonehill College. While raising her family, Helen worked at the B.B. Russell Elementary School as one of the first Teacher Aides for the Brockton School Department. She then worked for the City Treasurer’s Office until her retirement.
Helen was a faithful member of the 20th Century Catholic Club for over 60 years, Saint Patrick’s Ladies Sodality, the Charity Guild, Mary Cruise Kennedy Senior Center, Ireland’s Own of Brockton, Retired State, County and Municipal Employee Association of Massachusetts, as well as a former member of the Cardinal Spellman Parents Association. On October 19, 2008, Helen and her husband John were awarded the Sisters of Saint Joseph Medallion for their outstanding service to Cardinal Spellman High School. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Brockton and St. Pius Tenth Church in South Yarmouth.
Helen lived a simple but exemplary life and set a standard that her survivors will struggle to emulate. She loved life and cherished time spent with family and dear friends. In the words of the writer Henry James, “Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind.” Those who knew her will remember her kindness and miss her forever.
She is survived by one son and four daughters. Helen was the loving and devoted mother of Claire M. Sheehan of Brockton, with whom she made her home; William J. and his wife Nancy Jo Cardillo of Acton; Rosemary L. of Watertown; Janet and her husband George Drummey of Framingham and Margaret A. of Watertown. She leaves five grandchildren, Michael and Elizabeth Drummey, Samuel Sheehan, Svetlana Sheehan and Camille St. Lot Sheehan.
She was the sister of Marguerite M. Gabrick of South Yarmouth, James B. Donovan and his wife Patricia of Yarmouthport, Alice F. Ashmore and her husband H. Thomas of West Yarmouth and the sister-in-law of Mary P. Donovan of Brockton and Margaret Sheehan of Kingston. She was also the sister of the late J. Edward, Joseph T., George L., Rev. William F., Mary J., Dorothy R. Donovan and Anne L. Duffy. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and friends.
Contributions in Helen’s Memory may be made to The Donovan-Sheehan Family Scholarship Fund c/o Cardinal Spellman High School, 738 Court St. Brockton, MA 02302, for online donations click here.
Funeral from the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 10am. Funeral Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Brockton, at 11am. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours Monday 7-9 pm; Tuesday 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.