Helen Therese Calpin McDonough

Helen Therese Calpin McDonough, longtime Green Ridge resident passed away peacefully Sunday morning at home surrounded by her family following a brief illness. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard Michael McDonough who died in June, 2004. Born on March 10th, 1925 in the Bellevue section of Scranton she was the daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Beatrice) Kilcullen Calpin. A graduate of St Paul’s High School, she was an employed at Capitol records, the A&P offices, and Weight and Bond prior to her marriage. She spent the majority of her career at Mercy Hospital, Scranton as a medical unit secretary. 

A proud lifelong member of St. Paul’s Church, her deep faith and devotion to the Catholic Church was a constant source of strength in her life. 

She served as President of the Catholic Choral Club,  President of the Catholic Junior League, and was a proud member of the Scranton Women’s Club and the Century Club Ladies Auxiliaries. She was a board member of the Theresians, a founding member of the Holiday Christmas Bureau as well as the Scranton Prep Parent’s Club. She enjoyed many years as a member of the Garden Club and a volunteer at St. Paul’s School, Green Ridge where her children and grandchildren attended school. 

Helen lived a life devoted to service for others volunteering for Hospice of the Sacred Heart up until one month prior to her illness and death. 

Her deep faith and love of God was a guiding force throughout her life and an integral part in the raising of her children and grandchildren. Helen is survived by her 5 children, son Bernard M. and wife, Elise, Sean P. and wife, Kelly, daughters Kathleen McDonough Schlegel and husband, Michael, Deirdre McDonough Burke and husband, Ken, and Kara McDonough Seitzinger and husband, Mark. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Liam McDonough, Kaitlin, Patrick, Meghan, and Seamus McDonough, Molly, Sara, and husband Wally Williams, Connor, and Kellen Schlegel, Ernie and Sean Burke and Maggie, Maeve and Louise Mariotti. Helen was given the gift of one great-grandchild, Lily Williams. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings, Marie Calpin Flannery, Margaret (Dorothy) Calpin Norton, Joseph Calpin, Thomas Calpin, and Sr. M. Noralene Calpin, I.H.M. Her sisters-in-law Helen Cavanaugh, Mary Martin and Margaret Cavanaugh. She was recently preceded in death by her niece Shirley, Martin Price and is survived by her niece Rosemary Martin Garvey, several grand nieces and grand nephews.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to her longtime physician Anees Fogley, Donna Doherty and the team of Traditional Home Health & Hospice and her daughter-in-law Kelly McDonough and Hospice of the Sacred  Heart.

A private Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Church on Wednesday, March 3rd.

Those wishing to be with the family during this difficult time may join them via the Vanston and James Funeral Home Facebook page on Wednesday March 3rd at 10am where the Mass will be livestreamed.

Interment at the family burial plot at the Cathedral Cemetery.  

Donations may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart or St. Joseph’s Center Auxiliary in honor of her granddaughter Kaitlin Taylor McDonough.

4 Comments

  1. Steve Jenks

    Kathleen and family, my very deepest condolences for your loss. You are in my prayers.

  2. Katherine Jovel

    Sara, Wally Williams, & Schlegel’s along with the rest of the family are lifted in prayer during this time of a great loss. What an honor to have met an incredible woman. May God keep her in His grace and she rest in eternal peace. XX

  3. Jane Riggi

    SEAN, OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY AT THIS VERY SAD TIME OF LOSS. WITH SYMPATHY, VINCE AND JANE RIGGI

  4. Dolores Ketz

    Shaun and Kelly I am so very sorry for the loss of your great mind.I often talked to her at the salon many times and always enjoyed our conversations.May she Rest In Peace. Dolores Provini Ketz

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