Helen F. (Mahoney) McGrane, PhD, age 99, of Winchester, passed away on December 25, 2025, lovingly surrounded by her family. She was a wonderful, loving woman who lived her life to the fullest with a love of family, friends, education, dancing and traveling.
She was born and raised in Providence, RI to Mary and John Mahoney and had two brothers, John and Tom, and a sister, Sister Mary Mahoney.
After graduating from High School, Helen went to the R.I. Hospital School of Nursing under the U.S. Cadet Nursing program. Helen met her husband, Clarence McGrane, when he was going to Brown University under an NROTC scholarship. They met at the Rhodes Ballroom where they enjoyed dancing, an activity they long relished.
After graduating, Clarence entered the Navy, taking his new bride on the first of many moves. They had three children: Ellen (married to Tom Shields), Chris (married to Richard Braunlich) and Connie McGrane (married to Jeff Beck). Helen is also survived by four grandchildren: Dana (married to Kevin Kellert), Greg (married to Dori), Vinnie (married to DJ) and Jessica (married to Tommaso) and three great grandchildren: Dayne, Eloise, and Alma.
As well as raising their family, Helen and Clarence enjoyed golf and playing bridge. Helen pursued her love of nursing in different U.S. locales before a return to education for a BS, an M.S. and a PhD leading to a career as a teacher at UCLA and then as a health care educator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank, Ca. After retiring, she indulged her love of learning as a member of the Harvard Institute of Learning in Retirement and subscribing to numerous Great Courses. She found a new way to learn and teach by participating in one of the longest diabetes studies to date at Mass General. She traveled the world on numerous walking tours and cruises and especially enjoyed the Holland America cruises that offered gentlemen hosts for single women who liked to dance.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather for a celebration of Helen’s life on Sat., Jan. 3rd at 10 a.m. at Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11AM in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester. Burial is private.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118 https://www.rosiesplace.org or to your favorite charity.