Helen M. (Donovan) Whitman's Obituary
For her passion and commitment to others, her appreciation of life and for the grace and Word of God, for the vigor for which she lived her 92 years and the smiles that she brought to all, it is with great sadness--but also great joy and celebration--that her daughters, her friends and her family at the Halcyon House Retirement Home said goodbye to Helen Whitman on January 13, 2014. Helen was a lifelong Lawrence, MA resident. She was an active member of St Mary's Parish, was a Eucharistic Minister all of her life and a member of the Legion of Mary. Over the course of a distinguished 40-year career serving underprivileged children in the State Welfare Office, Helen gave a better life to over 1500 children, raised funds for foster children and recruited nearly 1000 individuals and families interested in being foster parents. She gave speeches, made radio and television appearances and wrote columns for the Eagle Tribune about the protection of children. Upon retirement she volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul and continued to be of service through her church and community. Helen also enjoyed traveling with her daughter's and visited Ireland and Rome in retirement. She lived her remaining years proudly at Halcyon House. Often referred to as the most popular resident in the home and the center of all social activity, there wasn't a person who walked through the doors whom she didn't know, there wasn't a resident she didn't befriend, and there wasn't a bingo game or sing-a-long that she wasn't participating in. She had, for many of her years at Halcyon, a steady stream of visitors. Her own family, people that she helped from her service to the families of the Lawrence area, and residents that would come and go. She will be remembered most fondly for her energy, positive spirit and good nature. She knew only to speak in compliments, with never a bad thing to say about anyone; she ended every visit with a trademark, "you look wonderful and God Bless you." Her enthusiasm had always been a welcomed mainstay. Even over the last two years, as her vibrancy waned, and even though she looked tired, she made everyone feel welcomed and there wasn't a cup of tea and cookie or a dish of ice cream that was ill timed. As the staff and residents woke up on the morning of January 14, the house felt a bit cooler and their hearts a bit empty when Helen was not there to greet them. All can take comfort in knowing that with her deep devotion to God, she is now with her Heavenly Father. Helen is survived by her daughters Ellen Whitman of Exeter, NH and Mary Jane Finnegan of West Warwick, RI; two grandchildren: Thomas Hoy and Maureen Finnegan; her devoted friends Connie and Ed Haibowicz, Marie Barry, Janet Rider, Julie Gordon, Michael Theriault and John Decubellis. Helen's family would further like to thank the wonderful staff at Halcyon House and Merrimack Valley Hospice for their continued and loving support over the years. Calling hours will be on Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 12 to 2 P.M. at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA. A Funeral Service will follow at 2 P.M. There will be a celebration of Helen's life immediately following the service at the Halcyon House Retirement Home, 175 Berkeley St., Methuen, MA. Memorial contributions may be made in Helen's memory to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 300 Haverhill St., Lawrence, MA, 01840. To send an online condolence or for more information, please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com.
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