Helen (Garvey) O'Meara

Passed March 26, 2023

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Obituary for Helen (Garvey) O'Meara

Helen (Garvey) O’Meara, a dedicated daughter of Dorchester and a longtime resident of Hingham passed away March 26, 2023 in her home with her family.

She was the daughter of the late Thomas M. Garvey and her namesake Helen Gertrude Garvey. She was predeceased by her siblings John A. Garvey, Margaret M. Garvey, Mary C. Findley, Thomas F. Garvey, Anne E. Cifrino and Regina T. Garvey. She was the wife of the late Robert B. O’Meara. She is survived by her son Gregory R. O’Meara and her daughter-in-law Mary Jane O’Meara as well as the McConaghy and Ferrara families of Barrington and Warren, Rhode Island, respectively. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews and their progeny.

She attended the oldest public elementary school in the United States, the Mather School in Dorchester, graduated from Dorchester High in 1939 at age 15, graduated from Regis College in 1943 at age 19 and Boston College School of Social Work in 1945 at age 21.

She was very involved with the Girl Scout Troop from St. Ambrose Parish in Dorchester when she was younger. Enjoyed her summers at Nabnasset Pond in Westford at a family cottage. She was the waterfront safety director for Sunset Point Camp run by Boston Catholic Charities in Hull in 1943.

Upon graduation from Boston College School of Social Work, she started her career in Providence, RI taking the commuter rail daily from Boston to Providence. Her main occupation was as a trained psychiatric social worker at various social service agencies and the Massachusetts court system. She retired as the Chief Psychiatric Social Worker for the Boston Juvenile Court Clinic.

Along the way she had various volunteer positions, in the 1960s she was appointed by Governor John Volpe to a Commission to reorganize state government, later she sat on the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine and she volunteered at the Metropolitan Tribunal, which is the Ecclesiastical Court for the Archdiocese of Boston.

Former member of the Hingham Yacht Club and the Hingham Garden. She was an ardent reader she was the member of two book clubs in Hingham for many years.

Visiting hours will be held at Helen’s home on Wednesday March 29, 2023, from 2 PM until 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday March 30 at the Resurrection Church, 1057 Main St. Hingham at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at the Milton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, she has requested donations be made to the Mary Jane O’Meara Scholarship Fund, Women in Transportation Seminar Boston (WTS), c/o HNTB Corporation, 31 St, James Avenue, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02116, attention Anna Barry. This is a scholarship administered by the WTS Boston and funds are given to women seeking an advance degree in a transportation related field.

Services

30 Mar

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Resurrection Church 1057 Main Street Hingham, MA 02043 Get Directions »
30 Mar

Interment

12:00 PM

Milton Cemetery 211 Centre Street Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • April 03, 2023

    There really are no words that can truly explain how important Helen O'Meara was to me and my family. She was a grandmother, a godmother and an aunt rolled all into one. My entire childhood was filled with her presence and my brother and I feel like we grew up on Cushing street. I remember endless dinners with wonderful debates and stories, Christmases, holidays and lazy summers playing in the yard or walking to the pond. Helen was always there to cheer us on, share in our adventures and offer us her kind wisdom and keen insight into the human condition. I have known her my entire life and am the better for it. She will be missed.

  • March 29, 2023

    Helen made us feel right at home whenever we visited, with a warm welcome & a beautiful smile. She will be missed. Dorothy & Kevin Nicolazzo

  • March 29, 2023

    To Greg and all who love Helen I send my sympathy . Helen was such an amazing and kind woman. What a gift to all of us! In Sympathy Peg Eberle

  • March 29, 2023

    Dear Greg and Mary Jane, So very sorry to hear about the passing of your mother and mother-law. She was a great woman. Again, my deepest condolences. Gary Burgin

  • March 28, 2023

    Although it has been a long time since we last met, she was not forgotten. My condolences. Just in case you wonder who I am I marnet and Bob O'Brien's nephew. Paul Reilly, M.D.

  • March 28, 2023

    Thoughtful, caring, compassionate, loving, so many words that can only begin to describe such a wonderful lady. She will be missed by all fortunate enough to have known her beautiful spirit. Deepest sympathy to her family we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers with love and sympathy Laura and Bill McNamara

  • March 27, 2023

    Aunt Helen was a lovely person—inquisitive, friendly, and so kind. We always appreciated her keen memory and willingness to chat. Sending our deepest condolences. Warmly, The Tichner Family

  • March 27, 2023

    Mrs O'Meara was an amazing lady! She will be missed immensely. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and I hope comfort is found in all the wonderful memories shared through her amazing life.

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