Obituary of Helen L. Boyle

Helen Louise Boyle, a woman who loved to travel and was devoted to her family passed away after a long illness on Monday night, December 12, 2016. She was 74 years old. Helen was born and raised in Salem, the only child of Edward and Victoria Baldyga. She attended St. Chretienne Academy and graduated in 1959 at just 16 years old. She started Salem State College when she was still just 16 years old. She met fellow student, Charles “Chuck” Boyle, in class and a romance blossomed. She graduated from Salem State with a Bachelors in Education and the following weekend, June 16, 1963, she married her college sweetheart. She raised her 5 children and worked a number of part time jobs to allow her children to attend parochial schools and enjoy family vacations. After the children were off at school she worked 20 years for the USPS as a postal clerk primarily at Nuttings Lake. Helen was a very selfless individual who made her family her priority. She dedicated all her time to taking her children to school, extracurricular activities, and most importantly, instilling in them strong family values. Helen was a fun and dynamic person. She loved to travel. For many years it was as a family. She would work her side jobs so they could hit the road and see the world. One memorable family trip had the entire family pack up in the family van and travel cross country for 7 weeks staying in tents and motels. They experienced our great country from coast to coast enjoying many of our National Parks. There were many vacations spent at the family Chalet in Sanbornville, NH. Helen and Charlie had many great friends whom they vacationed with as well. There were “Winter Olympic” weekends, cruises, and European vacations. In later years, they strategically picked Kissimmee Florida as their winter destination so that she would have a steady stream of children and grandchildren visiting with Disney World as an incentive. In the end, her “passport” was filled with visits to over 45 states, many countries, multiple continents, and an overflowing collection of memories and stories. Helen had so many activities and passions in her life. She was an avid reader. She took ceramics for many years. She enjoyed knitting. She enjoyed flower gardening, bird watching, and stamp collecting. She loved shopping for the perfect gift or a great deal. She volunteered for many years at a soup kitchen in Lowell. Of her many passions, none were more important than spending time with her family. She had a strong Catholic faith and attended daily mass. Helen’s life was full and adventurous. Her travels and antics were fun and memorable. They brought her family closer together during her adventures and created lasting friendships. If you knew her, you loved her, an indisputable fact. Helen was the beloved wife of 53 years of Charles C. Boyle. She was the loving mother of Christopher Boyle & his wife Jacqueline of Burlington, Victoria McMahan of Burlington, Edward Boyle of Lowell, Matthew Boyle & his wife Lisa of Doylestown, PA, and Mary Beth Helstrom & her husband Mike of Wilmington. She was the proud grandmother of Lauren, Kimberly, Christopher, Mackenzie, & Connor Boyle, James & Matthew McMahan, and Sarah & William Helstrom. She was also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Friday, December 16 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Helen’s name may be made to the Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or www.jimmyfund.org