Helen M. Wood

Helen M. (Callahan) Wood of Worcester, died Thursday, August 21, 2008 in the UMass- Memorial Medical Center after a brief illness.

She leaves her husband of 61 years, John E. Wood; her son, John E. Wood Jr. and her brother, William Callahan, all of Worcester.

Her sister Katherine Abdow and her brother Andrew Callahan predeceased her.

Helen was born in Worcester, daughter of Patrick and Helen (Culloty) Callahan and lived in Worcester all her life.

She graduated from South High School and the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston. She had a long career in business as an office manager and a purchasing agent.

She and her husband enjoyed their annual trip to their Aruba home and traveling to Bermuda and Cape Cod. She also enjoyed gardening.

Helen was a founding member of St. Christopher's Parish and a member of the Catholic Daughters of America.

Calling hours at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, will be on Sunday, August 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be on Monday, August 25, from the funeral home with a Mass at 11 a.m. in St. Christopher's Church, 950 West Boylston St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Assn., 460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 400, Waltham 02451-1991.