Helen F. Lorrey

Helen F. Lorrey
of Pepperell, MA; 87

PEPPERELL, MA -- Helen Frances (McGuire) Lorrey, of Pepperell, MA, died in her home surrounded by her family on January 7, 2014, after a long and difficult illness. She was 87 years old.

Born November 4, 1926 in Lowell, MA, she was the daughter of Ada Pearl (Starbird) McGuire & Thomas J. Mcguire. She grew up in Lowell as the oldest of six children, and worked in the Ames Worsted Textile Mill, the Hydecraft, and the Bridge Tables.

In 1947, she married Roger Russell (Russ) Lorrey, also of Lowell. They built a home and started their family in Tewksbury, MA, living there until 1969, when they moved to Pepperell. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage and a wonderful life together, raising their six children.

Helen loved being a mom and she embraced the hard work required to make a comfortable home. She took pride in her ability to provide homemade meals every day, and could stretch a supper to make even unexpected guests feel welcome. It was important to her that no one left her table hungry. Taking care of her children was always her first concern, and changing cloth diapers, doing laundry, sewing & mending clothes, and cleaning house were, to her, just part of raising a family.

Later in life, she worked at Wilkins Farm Stand, planting in the greenhouse and making bouquets. She was also a cook in the Varnum Brook Middle School cafeteria for three years.

Helen was an active member of St. Joseph's (now Our Lady of Grace) Parish, where she served as a eucharistic minister, taught Sunday school, and volunteered in the kitchen making many suppers to help raise money for their new kitchen.

Her hobbies included painting, reading, knitting, crocheting, and walking in the woods, but gardening was her true passion. She saved seeds every year, cultivated plants in her greenhouse, and created beautiful perennial gardens throughout her yard.

She and Russ loved to gather all their relatives at their house for cookouts and holidays. So many fond memories were created during these family times.

Summers always included a family vacation. They crossed the country four times, camping the whole way. The beach was a favorite destination for Helen, any time of the year. She looked forward to camping each summer at Salisbury State Reservation, and particularly enjoyed sitting on the benches with Russ to watch the boats along the Merrimack River.

She felt blessed to have so many wonderful neighbors and friends from around town. The Pepperell Senior Center held a special place in her heart. She volunteered in the kitchen for many years and was a regular at the Wednesday luncheons.

Helen is survived by her six children, Susan A. Lorrey of Lowell, MA; Joanne Lorrey of Duck Creek, UT; Ellen F. Lorrey and her husband, Mark Barton of Southbridge, MA; Jan Lorrey of Newbury, MA; John T. Lorrey and his wife, Linda of Kittery Point, ME; and Elizabeth Lorrey of Pepperell, MA; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her brother, Daniel J. McGuire and his wife, Aleen of Rockville, UT; Charles F. McGuire and his wife, Brenda of North Chelmsford, MA; sister-in-law, Eleanor McGuire of Wells, ME; as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews on both sides of her family.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Roger Russell Lorrey, her sister, Dorothy E. Higgins-Lopez, and her brothers, Thomas J. McGuire, and Walter R. McGuire.

At her request, no public services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Pepperell Senior Center, 37 Nashua Road, Pepperell, MA 01463. (Please make checks payable to "COA Gift Fund"). The family is grateful for the wonderful care and compassion provided by her doctor, David M. Spiegelman MD, and the Nashoba Nursing Service & Hospice.