Helen T. McDonough

Somerville – Mrs. Helen T. (Morley) McDonough, of Somerville, formerly of Waltham, died Monday, July 22, 2013 in Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge. She was 95.

Helen was born in Knock, County Mayo, Ireland, on April 24, 1918, a daughter of the late Edward "Ned" and Nora (McGuire) Morley. Her home village of Knock was the site of an apparition, in 1879, of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She lived in Waltham for most of her life before her move to Somerville a year ago.

She emigrated from Ireland in 1938 on the last boat to leave her homeland before the onset of World War II. After arriving in Boston she went to work for the late James Michael Curley and his wife, Gertrude, and their family of Jamaica Plain. Helen worked at the Curley home on the Jamaicaway for ten years. After her marriage she continued to work for the family for another ten years.

Helen always remained close to the Curley family and was eternally grateful for the kindness, care, consideration and generosity the former mayor of Boston, governor of Massachusetts and member of Congress and his family extended to her during her long association with them.

She also worked as a nurse's aide at Waltham Hospital for fourteen years until her retirement in 1984.

She was married to the late Joseph W. McDonough for forty-nine years until his death on January 13, 1997.

Prior to Joe's passing Helen cared for him at home for a number of years and after his death she devoted herself to helping Saint Luke Church in any way that she could. She was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Ladies Sodality.

Helen leaves her children, Joseph P. McDonough of Hamden, Connecticut, Gerald A. McDonough and his wife, Mary Ann Hart, of Cambridge, Barbara A. McDonough-Williamson and her husband, Paul Williamson, of Billerica and John E. McDonough and his wife, Janice Furlong, of Brookline; her step-daughter, Sandra Buck of Scotland; her grandchildren, Matthew, Molly, Kevin, Katherine, Devlin, Amy, Jax, and Thomas and many nieces and nephews.

She was also a sister of the late Joseph Morley, Austin Morley, Luke Morley, Delia Harden, Mary Byrne, Nora Spillane, Kathleen Morley, Edward Morley, Martin Morley, John Morley and Margaret Sullivan.

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 Sunday, July 28th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Luke's Church, 132 Lexington Street, Belmont, where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Watertown.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Luke Church, 132 Lexington Street, Belmont, MA 02478.