Helen Reidy, a longtime resident of Saugus and formerly of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Wednesday August 7, 2024 at her home in Danvers with family by her side. She was 88 years of age.
Helen was born on June 11th, 1936 in Boston to the late Bernard Doherty and Margaret (Dare) Doherty and lived her early life in Charlestown with her siblings Margaret “Peggy” (Doherty) Joyce, John “Jackie” Doherty, and Bernard “Bernie” Doherty. It was in Charlestown where she met her husband of 62 years, Francis P. Reidy, both grew up together as true “Townies”. They were married in 1962 at Blessed Sacrament church in Saugus where they would soon after buy a home and have four beautiful children in rapid succession. Many summers were spent with the kids at Onslow Beach at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina while Francis was stationed there with the Marine Corps. From the early 60’s to the late 80’s, Helen would raise the family in a camper all those summers. Not the lifestyle for everyone, but one she truly loved.
Helen worked part time during the 70’s and 80’s at Saugus’ Caldor department store, where she was a favorite of customers who would often wait in a much longer line just to chat with her. Helen gave true meaning to the word, “social butterfly”. She had such a beautiful way of connecting with everyone and approaching everyone she met with kindness and warmth. People would often drop by the house at 62 Saville Street to sit and talk with her, seeking out her advice and wonderful sense of humor. Helen was very proud of her first-generation Irish heritage. She always had Irish music playing; even taking up traditional Irish step dance for a while.
Travel was a big part of Helen’s life. Whether it was a trip to Ireland to reconnect with family, going somewhere with her closest girlfriends, or one of the many trips she would take to Australia to visit her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren, she was always ready for an adventure. As a true self-starter and early DIY practitioner, Helen could often be found in the midst of decorating her home: hanging wallpaper, sewing, painting, or even cutting and laying tile; all self-taught.
Being a caretaker was Helen’s greatest joy of all. She was able to be a mom all over again with her grandchildren Kasey, Maggie, James, and Jack getting to be their loving “Nanny”. She devoted herself to her husband and her family. Being married to a Marine, she would’ve been the first to agree that once a Marine Corps. wife, always a Marine Corps. wife.
In addition to her husband Francis, Helen is survived by her sister Margaret; her children John, Kate and her husband Russell, Christopher and his husband Joseph, and Terence and his wife Sadie; Her grandchildren Kasey, Maggie and Jack and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Helen's visiting hours on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 11 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. followed by her Funeral Service at 12:30 P.M. in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. Her burial will be private.