Helen J. McDonough, age 92, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2024, at Wingate at Silver Lake in Kingston, MA. Helen appreciated the compassionate care of staff there and the frequent visits from area pastoral care ministers and family members.

Born in Dorchester, MA into a large, active family, Helen was the daughter of the late John J. and Delia (Lydon) McDonough. After attending Catholic elementary and secondary schools and many Irish dances, Helen entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. In subsequent years, Helen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emmanuel College, a Master’s degree in Education from Fairfield University, and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College.

Helen’s teaching career spanned many years in schools in Providence, RI, Springfield, MA, and Hartford, New Haven, and Branford CT. In the early 1970s, the Sisters of Notre Dame recognized Helen’s leadership abilities and she began her work as an elementary school principal, serving in CT and western MA. Subsequently Helen’s interests diversified. She spent time in Mexico learning Spanish, in TX working with immigrants, and in MA for the Department of Corrections working with incarcerated women. Helen brought expertise, compassion, and humor to all these endeavors.

In 2004, at age 73, Helen joined “the secular branch group,” a project of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur working to create a new way of living religious life. Eventually, Helen and her colleagues left the Sisters of Notre Dame but continued to seek ways of living their lives in concert with the Vatican Council’s call to the Church.

Helen spent her retirement years at High Cliff in Plymouth MA where she had the opportunity to make many new friends and to be closer to her family. She was a parishioner at St Peter’s Church in Plymouth where she found ways to share her love of the Church and her hopes for the future. Helen remained involved throughout her retirement years. She was a loyal Democrat and an avid consumer of political news. She was proud to have voted in the last election.

Helen is survived by her loving family, including her sister, Barbara Allen of Duxbury, and her brother, Thomas McDonough of VA. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary Tarpey, and her brother, Rev. John P. McDonough. Helen's legacy continues through her numerous nieces and nephews, whom she deeply loved and who carry forward the values Helen so generously shared.

Helen’s deep spirituality and love of the Catholic Church, her commitment to her family, her desire for a more just world especially for women and those who are poor, her energy, her optimism, her generosity and her humor make her life a model for all of us. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Visiting hours will be held Friday December 6th from 4:00-7:00 at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave., Milton. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday December 7th at St. Elizabeth Parish, Milton at 10:00am. Burial to follow at Milton Cemetery.