Helen (O’Brien) Harper, 86, passed away peacefully on November 18th, 2023.
Helen was born in Charlestown on April 14th, 1937 to the late Helen and William O’Brien. She moved to Dorchester at a young age and lived there until her marriage in 1957. She graduated from Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School. After a brief time in Norfolk, VA where Mel was stationed with the Navy, she settled in West Concord, MA to raise her family.
She is predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Melvin “Gary” Harper. She is survived by her four children Michael Harper, Denise Carr and her husband Timothy of Sterling, MA, Paul Harper, Richard Harper and his wife Deborah of Milford, NH. She found great joy spending time with her grandchildren Nicholas and Kaitlin Carr, and Zachary Harper and his fiancee Caitlin Riley, Jessica Casale and her husband Derek, and Jacob Harper. And her great grandchildren Finnegan and Damon Casale.
Helen was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was a loving presence to her children. She advocated for her children throughout their early years to ensure each was taken care of. She and Mel were immersed in a community of families with disabled children. And she worked tirelessly to provide her disabled son with the skills to be an independent adult.
She was an avid traveler from an early age, starting with a road trip to Nova Scotia. She went on to travel to many parts of the world.
Helen had a 20+ year career at Hanscom Air Force Base as a Configuration and Data Management Specialist where she applied her incredible organization and planning skills and attention to detail to ensure government specifications were followed. She was a strong advocate for other women in her workplace, coaching and mentoring them to succeed.
Relatives and friends will gather for a period of visitation at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center on Thursday, December 7th from 9 to 10:15 am. Helen’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am in St. Bernard’s Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Concord.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Minuteman ARC (www.minutemanarc.org) or The Sturge-Weber Foundation (www.sturge-weber.org).
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Helen’s online guestbook, visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
