Obituary of Helen McCoy

Helen McCoy, a sixty-year resident of Burlington and believed to be the oldest resident of the town, passed away on December 30 at the age of 103.   Helen, born in East Boston, a daughter of Italian immigrants, Joseph and Louise Guiggio.  She lived in East Boston until moving to the Burlington in 1963.

Helen was the beloved wife of the late Thomas E. McCoy who passed in 1982. She was the loving and supportive mother of Thomas F. McCoy of Hudson, MA, Timothy McCoy of Burlington, MA and Edward McCoy of Newport, Oregon. She was the proud grandmother of Justin McCoy of Ashland, Oregon and a proud great-grandmother of Emma and Liam McCoy. She was predeceased by her siblings Julia Rondino, John Guiggio, Ralph Guiggio, Angie Durante, Louise DePlacido, Rose Siciliano, Maria Teresa Nania and Lena Catanese.

Helen will be remembered by her family, who loved her dearly.  She was a devoted wife and mother, whose life revolved around her family and will be remembered for the warm and welcoming home she created.  

She was born shortly after World War I, lived through the depression and World War II.   Living in those eras taught her to live without many materialistic goods and how to be a supportive member of the family.   In her youth, she had responsibilities for taking care of younger siblings.  When she was old enough to work, she provided financial support to the family.  After she married and had children, her focus was to provide opportunities in life not afforded to her.   Her self-sacrificing instilled and moral upbringing instilled strong family and ethical values into her children and grandson.   It was only after her children became financially independent was she able to enjoy some of life pleasures such as traveling.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington, on Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:30am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St Margaret Church in St Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, at noon.  Services will conclude with a burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Tom.   

Memorials in Helen’s name may be made to the Heartbeat Pregnancy Help Center, www.pregnancyma.org, PO Box 153 Burlington, MA 01803.  Heartbeat is a parish-sponsored program that provides services to mothers of infant and pre-school children. 

For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.