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Helen Mary (Fiola) Monahan
April 27, 2022

Obituary

MONAHAN, Helen Mary (Fiola) 98, of Dunedin, FL, formerly of Dedham, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband of 57 years, Paul M. Monahan, and two beautiful daughters, Sheila M. Blanchet and Anne R. Steele. She is survived by four daughters, Helen M. Dion of Clearwater, FL, Cathleen M. Tetreault of Saugerties, NY, Beth P. Nee of Westbrook, ME, and Jane M. Lynch of Walpole; fourteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by three sisters, Rita MacQuarrie of Clearwater, FL, Mary Giancioppo of Needham, and Marianne Sweeney of Attleboro. She was predeceased by her sister, Loretta Jones, and two brothers, Frederick and William Fiola.

Helen was born in East Dedham to Helen (Jordan) and Alfred Fiola. She graduated with high honors from both Dedham High School (1942) and Emmanuel College in Boston (1946). After college, she brought her considerable teaching gifts to Latin and history students at Millis High School until she married Paul in 1955, when they began the formidable task of raising their gaggle of lively daughters. She returned to teaching in 1968 and enjoyed teaching junior high students at both St. Mary’s School in Dedham and St. Catherine’s School in Norwood until her well-earned retirement in 1991.

Helen’s family and friends will remember her brilliant mind, kind heart, and generous, courageous spirit. She found endless joy in her family, and graciously shared her knowledge and wisdom with anyone who asked. She was a devout Catholic, lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s in Dedham, voracious reader, expert crossword puzzler, and faithful fan of all Boston and Tampa Bay sports teams. A wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, confidante, and friend, she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visiting hours will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., Dedham on Tuesday, May 3 from 4:00-8:00pm. Her funeral will be held from the funeral home on Wednesday, May 4 at 9:00am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Dedham at 10:00am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.

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George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home - Dedham
456 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
781-326-0500