Helen Marie Simard MacLaughin, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on Jan. 31 at the age of 82. Helen was a light to all who knew her, and she will be remembered for her love of family, her dedication to helping others and her unmatched generosity of spirit that warmed and welcomed everyone she met.
Helen met her beloved husband, Lester S. MacLaughin of Everett, while in high school and they were married for 62 years. Helen and Lester built a life together that included lots of children, laughter, chaos, adventure and always an abundance of love. With seven children of her own to raise, Helen’s heart and home were always open to family, friends and anyone who needed a meal, a bed, someone to listen or a soft place to land. She was never happier than when her home was full of commotion and people she loved.
Helen was born in Everett, the daughter of Marguerite (Lewis) Simard and Joseph P. Simard. She attended Girls Catholic High School, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class. She was the first woman in her family to attend college, earning her bachelor’s degree from Emmanuel College as well as her master’s in social work and a master’s in education from Cambridge College. With her degree in social work, Helen worked in elder care and was a past president with the Everett Foundation for the Aged. Moving from social work to education, Helen worked for many years as a teacher in the Everett Public Schools and as the principal of the Whittier School in Everett until she retired. She was dedicated to her students and always went above and beyond to help them learn and succeed, even spending her own time and money to create an after-school computer lab for students who otherwise did not have access to technology.
In retirement, Helen and Lester moved to their beloved cottage in Marblehead and enjoyed being a part of the Marblehead community, where Helen was member of the Marblehead Rotary Club. She cherished watching the sunset over Salem Harbor with Lester, Sunday family breakfast and cheering on her grandchildren in hockey and all of their other endeavors.
Helen was preceded in death by her brothers Richard Simard, Joseph Simard and James Simard. Her memory will be treasured by her husband, Lester, her children James MacLaughin and his partner Linda Cabecca of Salem, Joseph MacLaughin and his wife Janet of Sandown, New Hampshire, Helen (MacLaughlin) Enriquez and her husband Mark of Woolwich, Maine, Philip MacLaughin and his wife Lynn of Gloucester, Marguerite (MacLaughlin) Polos and her husband Chris of Santa Barbara, California, Kathryn (MacLaughlin) Dedieu and her husband Laurent of Marblehead and Robie MacLaughlin and his wife Meghan of Gloucester. She also leaves brother William Simard and his wife Dorothy of Saugus, grandchildren Benjamin MacLaughlin and his wife Liza, Nathaniel MacLaughlin, Jesse MacLaughlin, Julia MacLaughlin, JJ MacLaughlin, Jack MacLaughlin, Henry Martin, Eloise (Martin) Hendrickson and her husband John, Theodore Polos, Robie Polos, Matthew Polos, Ryan MacLaughlin and Callie MacLaughlin; and great grandchildren Bo MacLaughlin, Peter MacLaughlin and Miles MacLaughlin.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, Feb. 9, with visiting hours at Eustis & Cornell of Marblehead, 142 Elm St., from 8-10 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders, the Salvation Army or the Thomas E. Smith Foundation. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Helen’s family may be made at eusitisandcornellfuneralhome.com.
