Helen Tighe

1923 - 2016

LOWELL, MA-Helen G. (Kelly) Tighe passed away on Tuesday morning, November 8, 2016 at the Wingate at Belvidere. She was 93 years old. Helen was the wife of William J. Tighe who died in 1997. Helen G. Kelly was born in Lowell on September 8, 1923, a daughter of the late Frank J. and Louise G. (O'Reilly) Kelly. She was a graduate of the Cardinal O'Connell School and the B. F. Butler Jr. High School. Helen was a 1941 graduate of Lowell High School. She continued her education towards her RN Degree, graduating in 1944 from the St. John's Hospital School of Nursing. In January of 1945, as a 21 year old Registered Nurse, Helen enlisted in the United States Army. She served stateside and in the Philippines as an Army Nurse with the 133rd General Hospital. Second Lieutenant Kelly received several awards and decorations during her service. Helen married William J. Tighe and together they raised two children. They made their home on Ellsworth Street and were lifelong parishioners of the Sacred Heart Parish until its closing. She then became a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church. In her younger years, Helen enjoyed dining, socializing, and outings to York, Maine. She was an avid reader of Novels, History, and Biographies. Helen also enjoyed completing crossword puzzles and sewing. When Helen retired from Nursing, she became a Teacher's Aide for the City of Lowell at the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, where she enjoyed working with the children. Survivors: Surviving Mrs. Tighe are her two children and their families; William J. "Bill" Tighe Ph.D., Professor of History at Muhlenberg College, and his wife Silvija G. (Sterns) Tighe of Allentown, PA, and Louise A. Tighe, RN and her husband Robert C. Schneider of Nashua, NH; three grandchildren, Aija S. Tighe, Augustine L. Tighe, and Kirill A. Tighe all of Allentown, PA; two step-granddaughters Kimberly D. Schneider and her fiancée Robert Doyle of Denver, CO, and Melanie L. Schneider of Cambridge, MA; a brother-in-law, Roger A. Proulx of Dracut; her niece and nephews, Patricia A. Roth, Thomas G. Proulx, Brian F. Proulx, and Kevin M. Proulx. Helen was the sister of the late William F. Kelly, Theresa A. Proulx and Marian K. Gray, and sister-in-law of the late Robert Gray. Services: Services took place on Monday, November 14, in Lowell, MA Contributions: As an expression of sympathy, donations in Mrs. Tighe's memory may be made to one of the following three charities: Boston Children's Hospital Trust, 400 Park Dr. Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215 or at www.childrenshospital.org/ways-to-help The Make A Wish Foundation - Massachusetts, 1 Bullfinch Place, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114 or at www.massriwish.org or to The Poor Clare Nuns, Monastery of St. Clare, 445 River Rd. Andover, MA 01810.