Helen D. (Forster) McDonald

Townsend – Mrs. Helen D. (Forster) McDonald of Townsend, formerly of Lexington and Waltham, died Thursday, January 19, 2017 at her home. She was 86.

Helen was born in Waltham on November 2, 1930 to the late Alphonsus J. and Helen G. (Drew) Forster. She was a graduate of St. Mary's High School where she proudly served as class president and head of the cheerleading squad.

Later in life Helen's career path led her to be a communications director at the Raytheon Company in Lexington where she would work until her retirement.

Helen was a true history buff, especially interested in the early years of the republic and the Civil War. She could recite most of the nation's historical documents from memory including the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution up until two days before she died.

Above all else, in her own words, Helen would say, "My greatest joy was Mac & my kids."

The wife of the late Walter R. MacDonald, she leaves her children, Elizabeth A. "Betty" McDonald of Townsend, Thomas J. McDonald and his partner, Marie Patterson, of Greenville, New Hampshire, Walter S. 'Butch' McDonald and his wife, Verla, of Pepperell, Robert F. McDonald and his wife, Sharon, of Bedford, Karen A. McDonald-Hopkins of Townsend, James A. McDonald of Acton and Keith A. McDonald and his wife, Michelle, of Billerica; her sisters, Margaret M. Logue of Waltham and Elizabeth A. Farquharson and her husband, Richard, of Franklin; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was also a sister of the late Rev. Msgr. William J. Forster and sister-in-law of the late Edward C. Logue, Sr.

Family and friends will honor and remember Helen's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, January 26th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 10 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.