Helen L. McBride

WILKES BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA — Helen Louise McBride died in Wilkes Barre, Pa. on July 30, 2011, after a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Dorchester, Mass. on June 1, 1930, she was the daughter of Daniel P. Duggan, a Boston policeman, and Helen Ryle Duggan. In 1955 she married James E. McBride and moved to Waltham, Mass., where she raised her family until moving to Milford, Mass. in 1999.

Helen and her husband owned the Bridgton Pines Motor Court in Bridgton, Maine for 27 years and had many happy memories with friends and relatives at the summer cabin business. Many beloved nieces and nephews spent their summers there. Helen became an accomplished seamstress and had custom draperies displayed in decorator's show houses. She made auditory tapes for the blind at Framingham State University. She was an active member of the Proparvulis Club and served as its president from 2001–2002. She was her husband's caregiver until his death at home in 1992.

She was a member of St. Mark's Parish in Dorchester, Mass. and Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish in Waltham, Mass. where she lectored. She served as lector and sponsor at St. Mary of the Assumption in Milford. She led the rosary with the seniors at Blare House in Milford. She had a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and made several trips to Fatima in Portugal.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, sister Mary, brothers Dennis, John and Gerald. She is survived by her brother Joseph Duggan, daughters Mary-Lynn McBride (Charles Altmiller) of Drums, Pa., Janet McBride-Roy (Ronald Roy) of Milford, Mass., grandchildren James Roy, Meghan Roy, Irene Altmiller, and many nieces and nephews.

According to her wishes, there will be no wake or funeral. There will be a Memorial Mass in Mass., date undetermined. Donations may be made to the Proparvulis Club (c/o Beverly Baker, 286 Turtle Pond Parkway, Hyde Park, Mass. 02136) and Xaverian Mission Center, PO Box 5857, Holliston, Mass., 01746.

Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East), 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums, Pa. is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com1T31X