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Helen Birchell Obituary
Helen graduated from Windham High School and then went on to further her education at the University of Connecticut where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Women's Society. After graduating from UConn in 1944 with a degree in education, Helen was hired at Stonington High School to teach Home Economics. She taught at SHS for four years until she resigned to begin her new job of raising children. Once her youngest child was in school full time, she returned to the Stonington school system where she substituted for several years. Helen was an accomplished seamstress, a great cook, a UConn women's basketball fan and a real pro at doing crossword puzzles. She especially loved doing crossword puzzles while sitting on the beach surrounded by her family.
In 1946, while enjoying an evening at The Hangar, a dance hall that was housed in the former Rutman's Furniture building in Pawcatuck, Helen met the love of her life, Bob Birchell and they were married in 1948. Together they had six children; Kathy (Andre) Tetrault, Debby (Kevin) Demeritt, Cindy (Dick) Gillum, Bob (Mariana) Birchell, Nancy Brewer (Brad Rigor) and Sally (Al) Duplice.
Helen was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, John, Walter and Chester Safin; and her sisters, Mary and Sophie Safin. Besides her children, Helen is survived by her granddaughters, Melissa Santos, Kristen (David) Federico and Alycia (Nicholas) Pessoa; her grandsons, Brian, Mark (Kristin), Jeffrey and Daniel Birchell; and her great-granddaughters, Emerson, Natalya, Isabella, Peyton, Avery, Adeline and Charlotte. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Michael Capital Campaign, 60 Liberty Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379 in Helen's memory.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Feb. 5 in Marco Island, FL. Burial will be held at a later date in St. Michael's Cemetery in Pawcatuck.
For online condolences, please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Helen Birchell
Sponsored by Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home - Westerly.
5 Entries
Kevin Kelliher
January 15, 2022
To the Birchell family and extended members,
Please accept my deepest and most heartfelt condolences.
Throughout the many decades, following my graduation from Stonington High School, I would periodically think of her on various occasions wondering how she was doing. What a wonderful and inspiring woman.
I will always remember her . . . especially going past the old Birchell homestead on Hinckley Hill road/Pequot Trail in Pawcatuck.
My association with Helen go back even further to my mother and her days at Stonington High School. She taught my mother (Patty Kenyon) in the late 1940's and myself in the early/mid 1970's. Whether watching my mother and her brother Donald win various Swing Dance competitions at "The Hangar" (the old Rutmans now elderly housing), following her immensely successful singing and acting careers, watching to her play the drums or listening to her on the radio (whether on local programming or at the Newport Jazz Festival) she would always strike up a conversation telling me how incredibly talented she was and ask how she was doing.
Not only was she inspiring to my mother . . . regarding the incredible talents she was given . . . she continued that thought praising my abilities pursuing these athletic talents to the best of my abilities.
Throughout life, we are given many pieces of information/wisdom from those that has come before us . . .and Mrs. Birchell was one of those that have touched a special place in my heart . . . always and forever.
May the memories of Helen guide you and be your strength moving forward.
In closing, because of our interest in music, I'd like to share a segment of a song by the Byrds-1965 (also Peter Seeger and The book of Ecclesiastes)
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to laugh, a time to weep . . .
Thoughts and prayers,
Kevin Kelliher
Kerri Binder
January 14, 2022
Cindy-so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing~
Kerri (Roberta Falcone's daughter)
Paul Cichon
January 12, 2022
Sending hugs and sympathy at this sad time. The last of the Safin family from Willimantic. Such good memories!
Judy Lathrop
January 10, 2022
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Mrs. Birchell was a fine woman. Thanks for all the great "growing up with the Birchell family memories".
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Edward and Mary Priebe
January 10, 2022
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. She was a delight to meet and had the most infectious smile.
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