Holyoke, MA – Helen (Garvey) Cadigan, devoted Mother, Nannie, Sister, and Aunt passed away on Friday June 5, three days after her 94th birthday. She was born in Holyoke and grew up in Amherst, the beloved daughter of the late Michael J. and Catherine A. (Harrington) Garvey and was a graduate of Amherst High School. Helen started her career as a telephone operator in Amherst, and after moving to Holyoke she met the love of her life John P. Cadigan. They married in 1958 and made their home in Holyoke, first in the Highlands, then in Oakdale for 52 years and back to the Highlands for 10 years. John and Helen enjoyed 59 years of marriage until his passing on January 31, 2017.
Helen had 5 children in 7 years and as a homemaker her home was always filled with love, laughter and children. Helen was an incredible cook, and we knew we were in for an epic treat if something “wasn’t that good.” Helen was fiercely independent, maybe just a little bit stubborn, had a very deep faith, and was a communicant of Our Lady of the Cross Parish. Always proud of her Irish heritage, she embraced marrying into a large welcoming Irish family in Holyoke, and her Parade Day shindigs on Magnolia Avenue were legendary. Helen loved Irish music, and Saturday mornings would always find her listening to The Irish Hour.
Helen is survived by her five children and their families: Patrick of Chicopee, Erin and Bill Boyd of Middletown DE, Maura and Brian Smith of Westfield, Sean of Ware, and James and Dawn of Holyoke. Helen embraced the role of grandmother and great-grandmother, and spoiled all as they arrived. Nannie leaves her cherished grandchildren Damian Cadigan, Nolan Cadigan, Meghan (Jeff) Jones, Kelly (Brandon) Saunders, Jennifer Cadigan, Jack Cadigan, Delia Smith, Patrick Cadigan, Michael Cadigan, and Ryan Boyd, as well as her beloved great-grandchildren Caitlynn and John Jones and Eamonn and Fiona Saunders.
Helen is also survived by her brother Robert J. and Jane Garvey of Charlestown and her sister-in-law Nancy O’Connell of Southern Pines NC, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents Helen was predeceased by her brother Michael and Judy Garvey of Reading, PA, sister Mary and Charles Abramson and brother James Garvey of Amherst, sister-in-law Mary and Daniel Martin of South Windsor, CT, and brother-in-law F. Stanton O’Connell of Whispering Pines, NC.
The funeral will be held on Friday June 12 at 8:45am from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:45am in Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church. Burial will take place in Saint Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday June 11 from 3:00 to 7:00pm in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to The May School, 2024 Westover Road, Chicopee, MA 01022.
DBR Mumsie BBNG
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