Beloved by all
Helen M. (Payette) O’Neil passed away at home on March 6th at the wonderful age of 97 with her loving children by her side. Helen was born in 1924, the beloved daughter of the late Phillip and Mary Jane (Sadlier) Payette. She was a very proud St. Peter’s girl and always spoke of happy memories growing up in the Flats section of Lowell. A 1941 graduate of Lowell High School, Helen went on to work at the Boston Shipyard during World War Two. After the war Helen was employed at Brocklemans Market where she met her husband Walter J. O’Neil. They married in June of 1951 and settled in the upper highlands neighborhood of Lowell where they raised their children and Helen resided until her passing.
Helen enjoyed a career in banking for more than 30 years, most of them spent at the Union National Bank on Pine Street, Lowell. She developed deep friendships with her colleagues and customers from both the UNB and Lowell Institution for Savings from which she retired in 1992. After retirement, Helen caught the travel bug beginning with her 70th birthday celebration in London, England. She continued traveling during her seventies and eighties with trips to Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Ireland. She also traveled to California, Florida, Washington D.C., and her favorite trip of all time’s to New York City where she attended Mass presided over by Pope John Paul II in 1995. For many years, Helen loved vacationing with her family in Seabrook, N.H.
Helen is survived by her four children. Robert O’Neil of Millis, MA, Barbara O’Neil of Lowell, Catherine Fallon and her husband Timothy of Lowell and Walter O’Neil and his wife Eileen of Lowell. Helen was an incredible “Nana” to Scott O’Neil and his wife Tammy, Keith O’Neil, Courtney Fallon Ago and husband Scott, Ashley Fallon Brady and husband Kyle, Timothy Fallon and his wife Brittany, Shannan O’Neil and Callie O’Neil. Great grandchildren, Lily and Riley Brady, T.J. Fallon, Samantha Graves and Thomas O’Neil. Helen leaves many nieces and nephews in the Cook, King and Richardson Families. She had a deep bond with them all, especially her godchild and niece Pauline King. The family would like to thank her nieces Gail Curran and Kathleen Goddard for the constant visits. Helen leaves many friends, including her best friend Gina Keon of Billerica.
In addition to her beloved husband Walter with whom she celebrated 57 years of marriage until his passing in 2008, she is predeceased by her wonderful sisters Virginia King and husband Tom, Marie Cook and husband Jim and brother Ambrose Payette and wife Pinkie. Her in-laws who she always considered her brothers and sisters, Catherine and Peter Conway, Barbara and Raymond Richardson, Edward and Pat O’Neil, Francis and Phyllis O’Neil, Brendan and Claire O’Neil and Raymond and Lynette O’Neil. Helen was also predeceased by her nephews Gerald Cook and Sean Richardson.
A deeply devout Catholic, Helen was a sixty-five year member of Saint Margaret of Scotland Church. She also prayed her daily novena as well as watching Mass on Catholic T.V. She affected many peoples lives throughout her life and will be missed by many.
You are welcome to attend her funeral Mass on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 12p.m. at Saint Margaret of Scotland Church, 374 Stevens Street, Lowell, MA 01851. Burial to follow at Saint Patrick Cemetery.
Her family completely understands that some may not be able to attend, if you are unable to attend, please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, Helen has requested any donations be made to the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N Beacon St, Watertown, MA 02472 www.perkins.org, or Saint Margaret of Scotland St. Vincent dePaul Society.
Arrangements by the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 01852, 978-458-6816, www.mcdonoughfuneralhome.com