Obituary of Helen Donahue Verry

Helen Donahue Verry, 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, May 18, 2019 in Old Saybrook. Helen was born in Hartford on September 9, 1925 to John and Margaret (Kelly) Donahue. Helen moved to Westbrook in 1945 where she went to work as a waitress for Frank Verry at the Modern Grill Diner. Five years later Helen and Frank were married and together they raised five children. Helen was an active and deeply devoted communicant of Saint Mark the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Westbrook where she attended Mass daily and served as an Eucharistic Minister, bringing Holy Communion to the elderly and infirm of the community. She further served her church by teaching religious education and volunteering at the food pantry. Helen also worked at Westbrook High School, preparing lunches until her retirement in 1990. Helen was predeceased by her eldest son, Frank J. Verry Jr. in 1969, her beloved husband, Frank Verry in 1982, her daughter-in-law, Christine Rackliffe Verry, in 2003, her brother, John Donahue of Hartford and sister Beverly (Donahue) Fenton of Enfield. Helen is survived by her children, David, James, Linda, Donna, son-in-law, Brian and grandsons, Matthew and Seth. The Verry family wishes to express sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at Apple Rehabilitation in Old Saybrook and Middlesex Hospital Hospice Care for the comfort and support provided to Helen and her loved ones during her time with them. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 24, 2019 at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, in Centerbrook from 9:30AM to 10:30AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated following the visitation at 11:00AM at Saint Mark the Evangelist Church, 222 McVeagh Road in Westbrook. Burial will follow in the Resurrection Cemetery, Route 145 in Westbrook.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen’s name to Apple Rehabilitation Resident Recreation Fund, 1775 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 or to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, P.O. Box 804, Essex, CT 06426. To share a memory of Helen, or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com.