WAYLAND: Helen M. (McLaughlin) Craven, 86, died on Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Wayland Nursing and Rehab Center following a brief illness.
She was born in New Haven, CT on November 14, 1924 the daughter of the late James McLaughlin and M. Helen (Dietle) McLaughlin.
Helen was the devoted mother of Dr. Richard M. Craven and his wife Lynn of Paoli, PA; David P. Craven and his wife Betty of Culpeper, VA and Catherine A. Gallo and her husband David of Natick. She is also survived by 8 cherished grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was the beloved wife of the late William H. Craven, Jr. who died in January of 2010 and sister of the late Regina G. McMullen.
Helen has been a resident of Wayland for the past 51 years and previously resided in Brighton and New Haven, CT. Helen received her BS in Education from Southern Connecticut College and taught kindergarten in the Newton and Wellesley public schools for several years. She was also a kindergarten teacher with the CCD program at St. Zepherin’s Church.
Helen was a very active communicant at St. Zepherin’s Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister and also visited and brought communion to church members who were in a nursing home or were home bound. She served as a Past President of the St. Zepherin’s Womens Club and volunteered for church fairs, assisted in the church office and on Sunday mornings with the church collections and funds.
She loved to do jigsaw puzzles, was an avid reader and in her younger years enjoyed gardening at her home. Helen was devoted to her faith and her family and will be greatly loved and missed by them.
Visitations will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home. 56 Pemberton Rd (Off Rte 30), Wayland.
Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 9:00 am followed by her Mass of Christina Burial at 10:00 am at Parish of the Good Shepherd at St. Zepherin Church, Route 27, Wayland.
Interment will follow in the Craven family lot in Lakeview Cemetery in Wayland.
In lieu of flowers her family suggests memorial gifts in her memory may be sent to the American Heart Assoc., PO BOX 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 or the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St, Framingham, MA 01701.