Helen Anderson

1931 - 2025

Helen Anderson, 94, of Pittsfield, passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025. Born on June 1, 1931 in Rutland, Vermont to Henry J. and Nora Fitzgerald McLaughlin, she was the 7th in a family of 9 children. Helen grew up as part of a devout Irish Catholic family who remained very close throughout all of their lives. She was the last of her nine siblings to cross over.

Upon graduating in 1949 from Mount Saint Joseph High School in Rutland, Vermont, Helen earned her RN in Nursing from Bishop DeGoesbriand School of Nursing in Burlington, VT. After becoming an RN, Helen and a few of her friends left Vermont and headed to Miami, Florida to begin their professional nursing careers. From there, she and the others then traveled to Los Angeles, California to try something new. While in L.A., Helen had the opportunity to move to Germany and join her sister Kathleen and husband George to assist their growing family. She was able to visit much of Europe as well as Ireland during that time.

When Helen returned to the U.S., she settled in Pittsfield where her sister Claire Bellmore had recently moved. Her life in Pittsfield began with a career at Pittsfield General Hospital. She met her husband Everett B. Anderson there and they were wed in August 1960. Their family quickly grew with 4 children in 5 years. In 1972, Helen and Ev took a leap of faith and bought a little slice of heaven on Lake Bomoseen in Vermont. Tragically, Everett passed away suddenly in 1973, leaving Helen widowed at 42 years old with their 4 young children. Through her strength in faith, family and laughter, Helen managed to raise not only her own children, but continually provided words of wisdom to all of their friends. She was able to keep 'the camp' and enjoy it for the past 5 decades which included sharing lake life with numerous family members and friends.

As a widow and mother of 4 Helen entered the workforce again, which led her to Hillcrest Hospital, working a few nights a week as shift supervisor, then into a career of Visiting Nursing. In 1979, she became the first nurse at the Berkshire County House of Corrections which she enjoyed until 1984 when she became a School Nurse for the City of Pittsfield--living out the last of her career best known as 'Mrs. A' at Pittsfield High School and providing not only her nursing skills but love and wisdom to all that visited her office.

In retirement, Helen loved to golf, spend summers at the camp, winters at Redington Beach, Florida as well as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with her siblings. Helen resided on Sherwood Drive in Pittsfield for 60 years before moving to Wingate at Melbourne Place in 2023.

Helen was loved by all who had the pleasure of meeting her. She was warm, funny and strong and always put others before herself. Her faith in God guided her through life and she was always 'putting the light' around her loved ones as they left her home. Helen was very proud of her 100% Irish heritage which led her to a trip to Ireland in the 80's with 3 of her siblings, traveling back to her mother's hometown of Dingle, Ireland. She would also vacation with her siblings and their spouses at Cape Cod Irish Village to celebrate their heritage. Irish music was always a staple sound at the camp in VT with Helen and her siblings singing along.

Helen outlived her 8 siblings and survived by her sisters-in-law, Patricia McLaughlin, Barbara McLaughlin and Audrey Anderson, who all reside in CT.

She leaves behind her children, Everett B. Anderson II (wife Monica); Martha Anderson Baker (husband Howard), Christine Anderson Paoli (husband Peter)l, and J. Jay Anderson (wife Karen), and her nine grandchildren: Molly Anderson Hughes (Ryan); Peter J Paoli, Kyle Baker, Everett Anderson III (Katherine), Collin Anderson, Michael Paoli, Keely Baker (Cameron), Shea Anderson and Abbie Paoli. Helen is also survived by her 3 great-grandchildren: Ivy and Barrett Anderson and Anderson 'Sonny' Hughes.

She was predeceased by her siblings and spouses: Anne Miller (Phil), Henry McLaughlin (Julia), Kathleen Commins (George), Sheila Carroll (Francis), James McLaughlin, Claire Bellmore (Bernard), Gerald McLaughlin, Maurice McLaughlin (Ruthie) and granddaughter Lauren Jayne Anderson

Helen's family would like to thank all that have been fortunate enough to have been touched by her warmth and wisdom. A special thank you to her niece Diane Hunt (Mike Williams) for their loving visits as she transitioned from her home to assisted living as well as the staff at Wingate who treated her with amazing care and reciprocal kindness.

Funeral Notice:

Funeral services for Helen will be Monday, August 18, 2025, at 12noon at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 02101. Burial will follow at St. Mary's cemetery in Lee, MA. Calling hours at the funeral home will be directly prior to the service, from 10am to 12noon.

Please visit www.dwyerfuneral.com to leave condolences and remembrances.