Smithwick Genealogy

Dedicated to bringing together the greater Smithwick family

First Name Last Name
Home Search Login  
Print Bookmark
Helen Florence Donovan

Helen Florence Donovan[1]

Female 1933 - 2013  (79 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Sources    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Helen Florence Donovan 
    Born 11 Jun 1933  Somerville, MA, US Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Gender Female 
    Census 17 Apr 1940  51 Mosely Street, Boston, MA, US Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Census 1 Apr 1950  51 Mosely Street, Boston, MA, US Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Died 4 May 2013  Squantum, MA, US Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I11840  Smithwick Family Tree
    Last Modified 27 Sep 2025 

    Father Jeremiah Timothy Donovan,   b. 8 Oct 1897,   d. Abt 4 Jul 1971, Dorchester, MA, US Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years) 
    Mother Ellen Frances Sullivan,   b. 3 Jul 1900, Scart, Kilcrohane Parish, Co. Kerry, IE Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 3 Apr 1967, Dorchester, MA, US Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years) 
    Married 1932  Cambridge, MA, US Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Family ID F3795  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family John A. Deluca,   b. Abt 1934,   d. 1 Jun 2013, Squantum, MA, US Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years) 
    Children 
     1. Living
     2. Living
     3. Living
     4. Living
     5. Living
    Last Modified 27 Sep 2025 
    Family ID F3796  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Helen (Donovan) Deluca    		Helen (Donovan) Deluca

  • Sources 
    1. [S930] Obituary - Helen (Donovan) Deluca, (Keohane Funeral Home), https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/helen-deluca-obituary.
      Helen (Donovan) DeLuca, 79, of Squantum, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends by her side May 4, 2013. Born and raised in Dorchester, daughter of the late Jeremiah and Nellie Donovan of Ireland, she is survived by her husband and best friend of 57 years, John A. DeLuca; daughter, Marie DeLuca and John Putnam of Squantum, Jeanne of Quincy, John, Stephen and his wife Lisa of Milton, and Ellen and Richard Moran of Squantum; cherished grandmother to Kristina, Shauna, Thomas, Lauren, Johnny, Pat, Vickie, Alicia, Katherine, Jamie, and Ava; loving great-grandmother to Julia, Shane, and Rex. She was the proud aunt of the Donovans and ONeils, and was like a mother to so many more. Also survived by her sister, Florence Gallagher of Mashpee; and was predeceased by her brother, Jeremiah Donovan, and sons-in-law, Happy Farren and Jim Koss. She was a longtime friend to many, including Bubby, Kay, Kathleen, and Bridie. Also known as Helcat, Helen was a graduate of Monsignor Ryan Memorial in Dorchester. She worked as house mother at St. Marys and also worked at St. Margarets Hospital. Helen taught CCD for many years. Prepared in the same cookware she and Jack have had since 1956, her Sunday family dinners were always filled with stories, love, and laughter and often served with a side of lasagna, eggplant parm, killer balls, and Irish bread. Her Irish whisper could be heard across the pond, much to her childrens chagrin. Proud that she never grew a grey hair, her stealth hearing and eyes in the back of her head served as convenient tools in raising her children. A 410 tornado, she could always spot a lie or a troublemaker, and no one wanted to tangle with her. Helen loved to relax on the verandah at Chatham Bars Inn, overlooking the ocean whilst sitting quietly or having a laugh. She also cherished sunny afternoons with her family on the Swan Boats or at Castle Island, looking forward to the visit as her excuse to get a hot dog from Sullys. An avid traveler throughout the world, her favorite destination, of course, was Ireland. A former Harwichport resident, with a keen eye for fine antiquities, she would scour Cape Cod estate sales looking for just the perfect item to add to her Harwichport home. She was an avid collector of inkwells, nativity scenes, and Sebastians. She loved Mosleys, where they would dance the night away. An accomplished artist, a piece of her work was proudly displayed at the MFA. She was also talented at knitting, needlepoint, and various arts and crafts. She was not only artistically creative but also verbally creative. Bilingual in English and Helenisms, she loved shopping at Normandys (Nordstrom), Battle Creek (Coldwater Creek), and plea bargains (flea markets). Helen loved having a cup of tea with her Walker Street neighbors and myriad other visitors, or inviting one of her five childrens friends in for a meal. Her door was always open; she would just add another potato to the oven. Helen loved the color cobalt blue, pinot grigio, and Irish music. She loved gardening, and had quite the green thumb (though she ruled with an iron thumb). When she was a young child, for a school assignment she memorized The Wreck of the Hesperus by Longfellow at her fathers urging, although her classmates memorized much simpler poems such as Little Miss Muffet. She could still recite it in full. The Fourth of July was her main holiday. She really hated going to dance recitals. She was oftentimes mistaken for Blanche (Rue McClanahan). Later in her life, she enjoyed watching the ships enter Boston Harbor from the comfort of her deck overlooking the ocean. Helen showed everyone a lot of good times, and she was always there for everyone. Quick to retort, she was the queen of the one-liner. She leaves a legacy of love, laughter, and eternal memories. She had real class. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., Quincy. A celebration of life service will be held in the funeral home at 9 a.m. Friday prior to the funeral Mass in Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish, 800 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, at 10 a.m. Cremation will follow. The family would prefer memorial donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777. See www.Keohane.com or call 1-800-Keohane for directions and online condolences.

    2. [S927] Massachusetts, U.S., Birth Index, 1860-1970Preview, (Ancestry), https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/3928/images/41263_2421406273_0328-00067.

    3. [S28] United States Census, 1940, (National Archives and Records Administration), https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-01671-00011.

    4. [S705] United States Census, 1950, (Ancestry), https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62308/images/43290879-Massachusetts-206357-0005.

    5. [S914] Massachusetts, Marriage Index, 1901-1955 and 1966-1970, (Ancestry), https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2966/images/41263_2421406273_0190-00163, Vol. 20 p. 399.