Helen C. (Simoneau) Desmarais

WINCHENDON - Helen C. (Simoneau) Desmarais, 79, of 38 Highland Street, Winchendon, died peacefully Monday afternoon, November 23rd at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Winchendon at the same family residence on August 29,1930, the daughter of the late Napoleon G. and Yvonne M. (LeBlanc) Simoneau and was a lifelong resident of Winchendon. Helen was a 1948 graduate of Murdock High School and a 1951 graduate of St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, the Friends of Beals Memorial Library, Winchendon Garden Club and Winchendon Historical Society. Her hobbies included traditional rug hooking, needle arts, knitting and tending to her flowers and gardening. She was loved by her family and friends, for whom she performed many acts of kindness. Her greatest enjoyment came from spending time with her family. She leaves her husband of 57 years, Harvey A. Desmarais; two children, Laurie Hallquist and her husband Alan of Winchendon and Lynne Vaughan and her husband Eric of North Reading; seven grandchildren, Evan, Emilie and Caitlin Hallquist, Elizabeth (Vaughan) Dalby, Mark and Scott Vaughan, and Corey Desmarais; one sister, Sylvia Bachiochi of Nevada; two brothers, Maurice Simoneau of California and Richard Simoneau of Florida and many nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by a son, Kevin Desmarais, who died in 1986, and three brothers, Paul, Jean and Philip Simoneau. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 28th at 10 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to Gardner Visiting Nursing Association, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA. 01440 or to Friends of Beals Memorial Library, 50 Pleasant St., Winchendon, MA. 01475. Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements. www.stone-ladeau.com