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Helen J. Benedict Obituary

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Helen J. Benedict

Clinton, MA

August 5, 1917 - December 2, 2013

Helen J. Benedict Obituary

Clinton-Helen (McLaughlin) Benedict of Pasadena, California passed away peacefully at her home December 2, 2013. Helen was known for always having a kind word to say and always helping others. Her 96 years were engaged, productive and purposeful. She was a quintessential member of the Greatest Generation, serving family, community, employer and country with determination, loyalty and grace. Helen was born September 2, 1917 in South Lancaster, MA to George Nesbit and Marianne Doherty McLaughlin. She was predeceased by her husband Harris Miller Benedict and siblings Marian Pierce, Jean Scharenberg, George MacLaughlin and Kathleen Innamorati. She is remembered by sister-in-law Margaret MacLaughlin of Lancaster MA and brother-in-law Joseph Innamorati of Clinton MA; nieces Susan Scharenberg, Jean Innamorati, Jeanine Eickhorst, Jill Bailey, Elisabeth Miller, Nan Becker and Jean Barker; nephews Thomas MacLaughlin, Timothy MacLaughlin, Richard Tuttle, Curtis Roettig and Nicholas Roettig; as well as cousins and many friends. After graduating from the Katharine Gibbs School of Boston in 1935, Helen held fulltime positions at Clinton Hospital and Northeast Telephone & Telegraph while completing two years’ evening study at the Northeastern University School of Law. She then followed childhood friend Ardis Rollins Clark to California and, over the next 12 years, held administrative assistant positions with title and mortgage companies, the US Department of Agriculture (Anchorage AK) and the US Atomic Energy Commission (Oak Ridge TN). In the late 1950s Helen joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena CA) where she worked in the executive office for 27 years. From childhood onward, Helen’s passion was reading. The New York Times was her primary news source and she read it every day of her adult life. A book was always her favorite gift to give or receive. She took great pleasure in helping young people learn and succeed. She dreamed of seeing faraway places, especially Africa, and eventually traveled to many countries. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed stamp collecting, knitting and playing bridge. In retirement she volunteered at the Huntington Hospital and the Linda Vista Library, and was an active member of the JPL Retirees Club, the JPL Stamp Club, the Shakespeare Club of Pasadena and the Pasadena City Women’s Club. The family would like to commend Always Right Home Care, whose dedicated staff enabled Helen to continue living independently in her last years. A Funeral Service will be held at 12PM on Friday, December 6, 2013 in the Philbin-Comeau Funeral Home, 176 Water St., Clinton. Calling hours will be held in the funeral home prior to services on Friday from 11AM until 12PM. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Clinton. Friends who wish may remember Helen through contributions to The Shakespeare Club of Pasadena, c/o Lou Ann Heintz, Treasurer, 171 So. Grand Avenue, Pasadena CA 91105 or the Linda Vista Library, c/o Linda Vista Library Associates, 1281 Bryant Street, Pasadena CA 91103. Online condolences may be placed at www.philbincomeaufh.com





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