Helen (Hanlon) Richards, 71, of Salisbury, passed away on May 5, 2015 at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston.
She was born in Lawrence on October 20, 1943, the daughter of the late Leo and Mary (Garvin) Hanlon. She graduated from Salem State. She was a business teacher at Lawrence High School and retired in 2002. She was the Lawrence High School swim coach for many years. After teaching, she spent time working for the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Merrimack Valley in Salisbury; which she enjoyed immensely working with children again.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She loved spending time with her two grandsons and her nieces and nephews. She was an avid swimmer, enjoyed spending time at the beach, and watching college basketball.
She is survived by her son Brad Richards of Stratham, NH; sister Jane Keenan of Salisbury; sister Colleen Cookson and husband Michael of Bracey, VA; grandsons Griffin and Bradley Richards of Stratham, NH; nephews Jay Keenan and his wife Caroline of Westport, CT and Jim Keenan and his wife Kerry of Salem, NH; cousin Joe Lane and wife Jean of Trumbull, CT; nieces Cara Flanigan and her husband Paul of Andover, Maggie and Kelly Cookson of Bracey VA; grand-nieces Casey Flanigan, Kiley Keenan, Callie Keenan; grand-nephews Conor Keenan, Brady Keenan, Carrick Keenan and Cooper Keenan.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Monday, May 11, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish at St Augustine's Chapel, 128 Ames St., Lawrence, MA. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, also in Lawrence, MA. At the request of the family, there are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Helen's name to the Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Merrimack Valley, 18 Maple St., Salisbury, MA, 01952. Arrangements are under the direction of the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury St., Lawrence, MA.