Plan for the Future
Helen M. McHugh, 92, an amazing lady of faith, lifelong teacher and caretaker died on June 22, 2013 peacefully with family by her side. She was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Chatham, NJ in 1923. She graduated from Chatham High School in 1937, New Jersey Teachers College at Montclair in 1941, Temple University with a Master’s Degree in 1951 and attended Lafayette College for philosophy in late 1950s and early 1960’s.
She moved to Easton, PA in 1941, where she taught Latin and coached the JV and Varsity Cheerleading squad at Wilson Borough HS for 35 years retiring in 1976. She was a volunteer for over 20 years at the YWCA and YMCA clubs managing the teenage programs. She served on the Easton Election board and she cared for her Aunts and Uncle. She was a communicant of St. Bernard’s Church.
In retirement she moved to Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ to care for her Aunt and Mother and she was a communicant of St. Peters Church before returning to Chatham in 1980. Along with her sister Jeanne with whom she lived, she was a founder of the Mom’s and Tot’s program at St. Patrick’s church and she served on the Chatham Election board for 20 years.
Never married, she had the adoration of three generations of nieces and nephews whom are eternally grateful for her unconditional love and guidance. She was a confident and lifelong friends with all her siblings; the defacto matriarch of the family. Along with her sister Jeanne, Helen would travel the country visiting them during summer school breaks much to their delight. She taught them how to play bridge, scrabble, spoons among other amusing games and along the way, life’s lessons. She introduced most of them to the theatre and cultural enlightenment. An unassuming role model, she led through her devotion to faith; she was dedicated to pro-life. Through her example she taught patience, kindness and forgiveness. She keenly saw and encouraged natural talents within everyone she met.
Helen was the eldest of eight to be born to Frances D and Josephine McHugh all of whom predeceased her. Josephine Miller 1989, Richard McHugh 1999, Marjorie Burns 2004, Catherine Jurewicz 2005, William T. McHugh 2010, Frank McHugh 2012 and more recently, she cared for her sister Jeanne McHugh, her lifetime bridge partner before Jeanne’s passing in 2012. She is also predeceased by nephews Joseph Jurewicz 1988, Joseph Miller 1998, niece Dianne McHugh 2011 and great-niece Elizabeth Jurewicz 1992.
Surviving are sisters-in-law Ann McHugh, Walnut Creek, CA and Peg McHugh Venice, FL, her cousins Gerry Bowlby and Mary Strauss of Easton, PA and Robert Gaffney, Bethlehem, PA, numerous nieces and nephews and lifelong friends. She will be missed by all.
Friends and family may call on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St. Chatham, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick Church where she was a parishioner on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at St. Catharine’s Cemetery, Sea Grit, NJ. In Helen’s memory, donations can be sent to St. Patrick’s Church, 41 Oliver Street, Chatham, NJ 07928 or St. Patrick’s Catholic School, 45 Chatham Street, Chatham, NJ 07928. For more information or to send a condolence please visit www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com.