Helen M. Vanasse's Obituary
Helen M. Vanasse, passed away on December 11, 2020, just shy of her 96th birthday. She was born on December 20, 1924. Helen was a lifetime resident of Methuen, MA. Three years ago, her daughter Maureen McAndrew and husband Bill invited and welcomed her to live with them where she would be lovingly cared for at their Methuen home.
For 55 years, Helen was the loving wife and best friend to Alexander H. Vanasse, Jr., who passed away in July 2003. After Al’s passing, Helen resided in their home until moving to her daughter’s home in 2018.
Helen was the loving daughter of the late Ernest and Delia (Cavanaugh) Turcotte. She was the youngest child and loving sister to her late sister, Muriel (Turcotte) Flaherty and her late brother, Raymond Turcotte. She was also predeceased by her beloved grandson, John Vanasse, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harry and Mary Vanasse, sister-in-law, Marie (Vanasse) Corey and her husband Jack, and brothers-in-law Andrew Vanasse and Donald Flaherty, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, many life-long friends.
For most of her life, Helen lived on Peaslee Terrace with her parents where she spent most of her growing up years through her early twenties. She attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Grammar School where all of the lessons were learned and taught in both English and French languages. She graduated from Searles High School in Methuen. After high school, Helen worked in the Paymaster’s Office in the Methuen Mills until she had her first child. When her children were in school, she worked part-time lunch hours at a school cafeteria. With her children grown, she worked at Redmond’s Insurance Agency and then for many years at the IRS, in their seasonal tax program.
After they married, Helen and her husband Al resided with her parents for three years on Peaslee Terrace. Helen, Al, and their first child, moved to Lawrence, MA where they lived for 5 years and had 3 more children. From there, they headed back to Methuen, purchased their own home on Peaslee Terrace, and had 1 more child. Helen happily resided in their home for the next 60 years. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church until they closed their doors. She then became a parishioner of St. Monica’s Church.
Helen is survived by her five children and their spouses, Kathleen Shaughnessy and her husband Edward, Robert Vanasse and his wife Patricia, Susan Anthony and her husband William, Maureen McAndrew and her husband William, and John Vanasse and his wife Lynne. She has nine surviving grandchildren that she adored, Edward Shaughnessy Jr. and Jodi Kirkland, Steven Shaughnessy, Marissa McKeon and her husband Patrick, Michael Anthony, Allison Anthony and Jon Daynard, Kristen Anthony and Jay Fredette, Amy (Vanasse) Sherman, Jeffrey Vanasse and his wife Cali, Kelly Vanasse as well as Katie King her late grandson John’s partner. Helen was also survived by twelve great-grandchildren that she enjoyed having in her life. In addition, she is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
As requested by Helen’s family, all services will be private. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Merrimack Valley Hospice, Home Health Foundation, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence, MA, 01843. To view the full obituary or leave an online condolence, please visit: www.pollardfuneralhome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Vanasse Family.
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