Helen “Babe” E. (Crotty) Ouellette, 86, of Worcester, passed peacefully Sunday, June 16th at Notre Dame Healthcare Center, surrounded by her loving family. She leaves her husband of 63 years, Francis Ouellette; a son, Thomas Ouellette of Worcester; a daughter, Kathleen Colligan and her husband, Timothy of Uxbridge; three grandchildren, Liam, Quinn, and Clara Colligan; several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. She was predeceased by a son, Francis M. Ouellette; two brothers, John and James Crotty; and a sister, Margaret Norton.
She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late John and Margaret (Coonan) Crotty. Helen graduated from St. Peter Marian High School and was a life-long parishioner at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. After years spent dedicated to her children at home, Helen became an Instructional Assistant in the Worcester Public School System. She was employed at Mill Swan School for 25 years, retiring in 2000. She loved her work with the children as well as the life-long friendships she developed with her colleagues.
Helen was known for her loving and kind spirit, which only grew stronger as she navigated through life's challenges and triumphs, above all the loss of her beloved son, Francis. A natural and gifted caregiver devoted to family; Helen selflessly cared for multiple generations in times of need. A lover of nature, Helen instilled within her children and grandchildren that same passion. She adored her pets, mainly her loyal cat Lacey, who was by her side throughout her illness. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life; late night card games, conversations with friends, time spent on the beaches of Cape Cod and at her home in Dennis, and day trips with her grandchildren. Any time shared with her family brought her the most joy.
Helen touched the lives of everyone she knew with her beautiful soul. She will be greatly missed, especially by her loving husband who cared for her during the years she remained at home living with her illness.
Her funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 25th beginning at 10:00 am in St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 929 Main Street. Please go directly to church. There are no calling hours. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Notre Dame Hospice Care at https://www.notredamehealthcare.org/donate/ or 559 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605.