Helen Wright
Thursday
17
October

Visitation

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home
43 Winn Street
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States
781-272-0050
Friday
18
October

Funeral Mass

10:00 am - 11:00 am
Friday, October 18, 2019
St. Margaret's Church
111 Winn St.
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States
781-272-3111
Friday
18
October

Burial

11:15 am
Friday, October 18, 2019
Pine Haven Cemetery
Bedford Street
Burlington, Massachusetts, United States

Obituary of Helen Keane Wright

Helen (Keane) Wright, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center on Monday morning, October 14, 2019.  The beloved wife of the late John J. Wright, Helen would have celebrated her 89th birthday on October 30th.

Helen was born in Cambridge.  She was the daughter of the late John and Helen Keane.  Helen was raised and educated most of her childhood in North Cambridge and Belmont.  She attended St. John the Evangelist School and Belmont High School.  At the age of 8 Helen began taking lessons in baton twirling.  To her delight, when an opening became available in the American Legion Cambridge Post #27 marching band, she was given a majorette position in the band. This would be the beginning of many years of fun and enjoyment being a drum majorette. 

In the fall of 1945, Helen and her sister, Mary moved to Montpelier, Vermont to live with their beloved grandmother, the late Julia Limoges Wood.  She considered this move to be her good fortune. She thrived living in Vermont and would finish her junior and senior years of high school in Montpelier.    She was very proud to be the first woman to become a member of the Montpelier Boys Band, and led all the processions as a Majorette. She graduated from Montpelier High School and obtained her Associates Degree from Vermont Jr. College with a major in Zoology.  While in high school and college, Helen supported herself by teaching baton twirling to local youth; and as a performer at the “Allen-A-Camp” in Wolfeboro, NH.   Allen Albee, owner of the camp, learned about Helen’s majorette and equestrian talents and asked her to perform at local events including Wolfeboro’s 4th of July parade.  Every Saturday evening, she would perform with professional members of the entertainment industry at the camp.  They were so impressed with Helen’s talents that she was invited to join a professional marching band out of Des Moines, IA, and a traveling horse show out of Chautauqua, NY.     Helen chose to continue her studies. Upon graduation, Helen worked in marketing for Vermont National Life in Montpelier, VT. She cherished her time and memories of Vermont.

As a member of the Massashushers Ski Club in North Conway, NH, Helen met her future husband, John on the slopes of Mt. Cranmore.  They married in 1955 and moved to Beaverbrook Road in Burlington on December 19, 1958 where they would raise their six children.   Helen was a devoted homemaker or as her daughter, Patty would say, her mom was a “joy maker”.  She was a wonderful Mom who inspired her loved ones to find their passion and happiness.  Helen was a member of the Boston Hill Ski Club in North Andover and a 70+ ski member of Wachusett Mountain in Princeton. Helen always made time for her family.  She was always interested in what was going on in their lives and she would remember the smallest details. 

Helen was very proud to be a Catholic and was a longtime member of St. Margaret’s Church.  She taught CCD for first graders at her home and also helped iron the priest’s vestments.  Her faith was an important part of her life.   Helen had a wonderful 62-year marriage to her husband John. They supported each other and were wonderful role models for their six children and their families.

Helen was the beloved wife of the late John J. Wright.  She was the loving mother of Dr. Maureen Viglielmo & her husband Dr. Jeffrey Viglielmo of Woodstock, NY, Patricia Munsey & her husband John of Burnt Hills, NY, John J. Wright, Jr. & his wife Joanne of Wells, ME, Sheila Cunniff & her husband Paul of Billerica, Tammy Munsey & her husband David of Concord, NH formerly of Ballston Lake, NY, and Timothy Wright of Wells, ME.  Proud grandmother of Kealey & Kaitlana Viglielmo, Dr. John Munsey & his wife Dr. Eileen Saunders, & Kara Munsey, Nicole, Nathaniel & Micaela Wright & her finance Noah Morancy, Melissa Cunniff & her partner Brad Jenkins, Erin Mayfield & her husband Matthew, Max, Nora, Cameron & Maria Munsey, and TJ Wright. Great Grandmother of Alana & Benjamin Munsey, Jeremy Jenkins, Parker, Ava, Addison & the late Hunter Mayfield.  Sister of Margaret Peabody of Wilmington, Mary Durakis & her husband Charles of FL, and John Keane & his wife Patricia of Framingham.  Mother-in-law of Janet Mulrain Wright of Burlington. Helen is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.  Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 4-7 p.m.  Funeral from the Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 18 at 9 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m.   Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  Memorials in Helen’s name may be made to Saint Anne’s Shrine, 92 Annes Road, Isle La Motte, VT 05463

         

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