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Helen Garner Ireland

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Springfield College

Helen Ireland Obituary

Helen Garner Ireland 1917 - 2012 SPRINGFIELD - Helen Garner Ireland, 94, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 26, 2012, after a long and happy life. She was the beloved wife for fifty-seven years of the late George Lovelace Ireland, and the devoted mother of Roderick L. Ireland, Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Affectionately known as "Ms. Helen," she was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the sixth of ten children. Ms. Helen graduated from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, earned a Masters in Education from Springfield College, and a Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She retired from the West Springfield school system after serving thirty-two years as its first African-American elementary teacher. Active in the Third Baptist Church for seventy years, Ms. Helen served as both a teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years, and was the President of the Flower Guild for over fifty years. She also was very active in the Springfield community and belonged to many organizations. Ms. Helen was a board member of the Acorn Street Boys and Girls Club and a member of several organizations including the NAACP, Golden Agers, Massachusetts Silver Haired Legislature, Tea Queens Chapter of the Red Hat Society, and Alpha Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Ms. Helen received numerous honors for her work and life accomplishments, and on her 94th birthday Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno proclaimed July 7, 2011 as "Helen Ireland Day." Ms. Helen was known for making soup which she generously shared with those who were hungry, neighbors and strangers alike. She was an avid gardener, loved collecting decorative knickknacks, and made it her mission in life to be helpful to others and to make a difference. Ms. Helen is survived by beloved family members: her son, Roderick and his wife Alice, of Milton, Massachusetts; three grandchildren, Elizabeth, Michael and his wife Marjorie, and Melanee; three great-grandchildren, Marcus, Michael, and Kalima; her sister, Velma "Betty" Garner of New York City; and several nieces and nephews, including the children of her late sister Marian Innis Charles, Robert, Malcolm and Lynn. Ms. Helen was also blessed by many, many beloved and loyal friends who gave her much joy and comfort. Arrangements for Ms. Helen's Home Going Celebration are being made by Henderson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Third Baptist Church, 149 Walnut Street, Springfield, on Thursday, May 3rd, from 10 11 AM, with the funeral service at 11:30 AM. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Henderson Funeral Home in charge of services. Sign on-line condolences @ www.hendersonsfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances in Ms. Helen's name be made, if desired, to a charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Republican from Apr. 30 to May 1, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Ireland

15 Entries

Ethel Griffin

April 24, 2020

I miss Helen she was an inspiration to me. I would sit next to her in Church and she always had a smile and inspiring word to say.

Ethel Griffin

April 26, 2019

Helen was a wonderful person who always had a kind word for everyone.

May 4, 2012

My deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother. My prayers are with you.

Mary Worthy

May 4, 2012

My deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother. My prayers are with you.

Raymond Marciniak

May 4, 2012

My mother, Mary Marciniak, taught at Fausey with your mom for years and always loved her. I only spent sixth grade there but she was always so positive. Mary and Helen kept in touch throught the years and always mentioned how good it was to hear from her. You have my deepest sympathies. Congratulations on having a great mom.

Gomez

May 3, 2012

Sincerest condolences......

May 3, 2012

Mrs. Ireland was my brother's teacher and my Mom worked at Fausey School. I remember how much my mother liked her and that she always spoke of Mrs. Ireland as a wonderful lady. She came to our mother's wake in 1993 so I knew that they had a mutual fondness for each other. So sorry for your loss.

Dorothy O'Brien, W. Spfld.

Richard & Ethel Griffin

May 2, 2012

Hello Roderick, you have our deepest sympathies. Helen and I set next to each other in church for many years and she was a beautiful person. Richard and I are here for you if you need us to do anything. God bless Richard & Ethel Griffin.

Michael Sullivan

May 2, 2012

To the Ireland Family:

Please accept our deepest sympathies. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Michael Sullivan and the Middlesex Superior Court employees

Matthew Webb

May 1, 2012

To the Ireland family:

My condolences on the passing of a truly great lady. "Mrs. I" was my fourth grade teacher at Fausey School, and I was in her second-to-last class. When I saw her picture and age in the newspaper for the Chief Justice's swearing in, I did the math and was astonished to learn she was in her late 60s when I was her student. With her energy and youthfulness, I had always assumed she had taken early, not delayed, retirement.

"Mrs. I" was in fact the first black person I got to know well in West Springfield, and I'd like to think that in a more multicultural time and place, we'd have gotten to learn more than just brief snippets about her experiences as an African-American. We certainly did hear about her son the judge, and it was with delight that I later learned about his rise to the SJC and then to its leadership.

I also remember her elegant handwriting, her sense of fun (she was head of the "Cabbage Patch Club" at the height of that craze), writing summertime postcards to her in exotic-sounding Buzzard's Bay, and the way she could take in hand a class that was "raising Cain," a phrase I learned from her.

I have been a teacher myself for the last thirteen years, and I will always be proud to have known her and learned from her. Please know that my spirit will be with yours as you celebrate her outstanding life.

Julie Altman

May 1, 2012

Mr. Chief Justice, I was greatly saddened to read today about the passing of your mother. Mrs. Ireland was my 4th grade teacher at Fausey School in West Springfield and I've never forgotten her. She was a wonderful teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Rest in peace, Mrs. Ireland.

cindy edge

May 1, 2012

Mr. Chief Justice, your mother Ms. Helen was a great friend,and mentor to me, my kids and my mother Annie Edge. Ms Helen was a great pleasure to be around and always very upbeat. I will cherish the times I've spent around her forever as well as the knowledge gained. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!

Brady Schoenrock

May 1, 2012

Mr. Chief Justice, I have very fond memories of Ms. Helen (or Mrs. Ireland as we knew her as students) from my time at J.R. Fausey elementary school in West Springfield. Back in the 70's, West Springfield was a very different place. Your mom, for many of the students, was the first African American they would know. Her memory will live on forever in the countless stories and experiences we shared with her. What a great, long life she led. My thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Helen and her entire, immediate and extended, family.

May 1, 2012

Rick and Alice: My heart is truly broken at the lost of my friend. She was not just a friend, she was a second mother, mentor, counselor, cheerleader and one of the wisest women I know. My visits to Springfield will never be same. I will always remember her as a Lady with class, style, dignity and grace. She was my GIRL and I will truly miss her.

Love,

Marian E. Burt, Wilmington, Delaware

Annette Green

April 30, 2012

Dear Chief and Alice: I am saddened to learn of the homegoing of Ms. Helen. I am blessed to have met her, albeit brief, at your Swearing In. I pray that God continue to comfort you during this difficult time.

Love,

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