SPENCER – Helen C. (Lyons) Noonan, 79, went home to The Lord peacefully on September 20, 2013, surrounded by her loving family.
She leaves her 11 children; James Noonan and his wife Jane of Westerly, RI, Catherine Durgin and her husband Daniel of Wells, ME, Karen White and her husband Patrick of Worcester, Michael Noonan and his wife Marybeth of Shrewsbury, Thomas Noonan and his wife Debra of Leominster, Timothy Noonan and his wife Christene of Holden, Robert Noonan and his wife Wendy of Chicago, IL, Julia Gaudette and her husband Philip of Spencer, Sean Noonan and his wife Lisa of Sturbridge, Joseph “Jay” Noonan and his husband Adam of Boston, and Mary Provost and her husband Jon of Charlton, 24 grandchildren; Jimmy and his husband Joshua, Ryan and his wife Leanne, Danny and his wife Sarah, Juliann, Kate, Kelly, Kevin, Shamus, Molly, Shaun, Eric, Jameson, Regan, Patrick, Alex, Melanie, Courtney, Connor, Caroline, Liam, Maggie, Hope, Emily and Erin and a great grandchild, Danny, her siblings: Raymond Lyons and his wife Pat, Robert Lyons and his wife Ruth, Edward Lyons and his wife Kathie, Michael Lyons and his wife Arlene, Theresa Herrick and her husband Jack and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband James M. Noonan in 2010.
Helen was born in Albany, NY, the daughter of the late Michael J. Lyons and Theresa (Mitchell) Lyons. She graduated from Vincentian High School in Albany, NY, and went on to attend St. Peter's School of Nursing and later, after having her eleven children, graduated from David Hale Fanning School of Nursing in Worcester, MA.
The majority of her nursing career was spent at Saint Vincent Hospital on Vernon Hill in Worcester, MA. Helen began her career in the Pediatric Unit eventually becoming the Manager of Employee Health. She retired in 1996 carrying with her all the special friendships and bonds she had forged during her career where she considered the entire staff an extension of her family.
Many of her joys were realized in spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She soon discovered with 24 grandchildren, she was actually busier in retirement. Helen had a unique ability to accept and tolerate all kinds of people but instilled in her children and grandchildren that you must stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
She possessed a great spirit, attitude, and sense of humor throughout her entire life which will be deeply missed. She was a source of light to those who knew and loved her.
The funeral will be held Monday Sep. 23rd from the J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terr., Spencer with a Mass at 10a.m. in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 7 Church Street, Spencer, MA. Burial will follow in Mary, Queen of the Rosary Cemetery, Spencer. Calling hours are Sunday Sep. 22nd from 2 to 6p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Helen Noonan may be made to: Mary Queen of the Rosary Parish, 60 Maple Street, Spencer, MA 01562.