Helen M. Donahue

BARRE – Helen Mae Donahue, 88, a longtime resident of the East Montpelier Road, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at the Mayo Healthcare and Nursing Center in Northfield.

Born on May 9, 1930 in Graniteville, she was the daughter of Michael and Mary Agnes (Murphy) Donahue. She attended the Holy Ghost Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Spaulding High School as part of the Class of 1949. She then went on to attend Johnson State College where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1953 and received her Master of Education from the University of Vermont in 1979.

Helen worked in the Barre Supervisory Union as a principal and an elementary school teacher for 39 years. She was known for her dedication to her students and her tireless efforts to provide a quality education for all of those in the Barre community.

She was a lifetime member of the St. Monica Catholic Church as well as the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International which promotes the professional and personal growth of women educators.

Throughout Helen’s life she had many hobbies and interests. The most important of those included golfing with her sister Joan, traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with family and friends. Helen was a kind and loving aunt and had many special relationships with her nieces and nephews. She especially enjoyed spending time with her two great-nieces, Hannah and Emily McMahon and her great-nephew Emmett McMahon.

She is survived by her sister Joan C. McMahon as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her four sisters, Bernice Donahue, Mary Gavin, Frances Gavin and Evelyn Woods; and seven brothers, William Donahue, Michael Donahue, John Donahue, Edward Donahue, Norbert Donahue, Raphael Donahue, and Renel Donahue.

A Mass of Christian Burial to honor Helen’s life will be held in the St. Monica Catholic Church in Barre in the spring. Burial will follow the service in the St. Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville. There will be no calling hours.