Helen Anne Mcnamara

   McNamara, Helen Anne (McDonald) of Chapel Hill, NC, formerly of Lexington, MA

   Helen McNamara died peacefully on Jan. 7 at Chatham Ridge Assisted Living in Chapel Hill. She was 96.

   Helen was born Nov. 9, 1927, in Boston, MA, the youngest of Helen L. (Judge) and John C. McDonald, and sister to John Edmund McDonald.

   Helen attended Girls’ Latin School. While in school she studied ballet, eventually becoming an instructor. She developed a love of the arts at an early age that truly lasted a lifetime.

Helen graduated from Emerson College in Boston in 1950. It is also where she met her husband of 71 years, Francis McNamara, who predeceased her. The couple settled in Lexington, MA, where they lived in the same house for nearly 70 years.

   Helen retired from her position as a speech and language pathologist in the Waltham Public School System in 1997. After retirement she took great joy in her volunteer work with Hospice Care, Inc. In addition, she thoroughly enjoyed her time as a facilitator of WINGS, a faith enrichment program at St. Brigid Parish in Lexington.

   Left to celebrate the memories of her wonderful life are her two children, Martha Hefner (James) of Chapel Hill, NC, and Gerard McNamara (Carol) of Mills River, NC. She will be dearly missed by her seven grandchildren: Julia, Robert (Brittney), Diana, J. Russell (Caitlin), Martin (Jamie), Joseph and Kathleen; seven great grandchildren; her cousin, Daniel McDonald (Mary) and many nieces and nephews.

   A funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. at the UNC Newman Catholic Student Center Parish with private interment to follow. Should friends desire, a memorial contribution may be sent to Durham Community Food Pantry, 2020 Chapel Hill Road, #30, Durham, NC 27707.