Helen J. Heroux

Helen (Murphy) Heroux, Age 78, of Chelmsford, died unexpectedly on June 20th, due to complications related to cardiac disease. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Murphy and Mary Olga (Dawson) Murphy. Helen had a sister Wilda Cobe, who died in a fire in 1960 with her 2 year old nephew Gary Wing. She also had a brother Kenneth Murphy, who was killed in a car accident in 1947. Helen was raised in Littleton, MA and attended Littleton schools. She was employed by Tau Tron Electronics in Westford, MA as a Group Leader and Production Supervisor, from 1973-1986, and GTE Corp as an Engineering Aide for 6 years.

Helen married Conrad "Coupe" Heroux in 1958 in Forge Village, MA, where they lived briefly until moving to Chelmsford, MA. They raised two children, and were married for 34 years until Coupe died suddenly in 1992. Prior to his death, they enjoyed traveling, and were fortunate to vacation in places such as Barbados, Venezuela, Barcelona Spain, Brazil, and Antigua, to name a few. They began RV camping in the early 1970's, working their way up to a motor home, and loved to visit Newburyport and Salisbury MA, State Fairs, Festivals, and various campgrounds in MA and Maine.

Helen was a devoted Elvis fan, and a lover of true crime books and forensic programs like Dateline. She enjoyed casinos, Keno, and playing the lottery on a regular basis. She had a unique sense of humor, and was firmly opinionated. She disliked snow and the cold, and refused to drive in bad weather. She loved lobster, chocolate, and cheesecake. She had 3 German Shepards, Major, Baron, and Ringo, and a Miniature Pinscher Molly, and loved them dearly. Helen's #1 passion was Animal Welfare and she poured her heart and soul into doing anything she could to help animals. She donated monthly to countless charities that helped abused or neglected animals, $5 at a time. She was very thoughtful, always collecting coupons and articles she thought others might be interested in, and putting thought into any gift she gave. Helen lived life on her own terms, and made no apologies for doing so.

Helen enjoyed any time she got to spend with her children. Nothing brought her more joy than being Grammy to her granddaughter Brooke, and she loved spoiling her on her birthday and holidays, and sending her off with a box of Animal Crackers like her grandmother did, with every visit.

Helen is survived by her daughter Kim (Heroux) Sheridan of New Hampshire, her husband Andrew, and grand daughter Brooke, and a son Dennis Heroux of New Hampshire and fiance Paula Stanichuk. She grew up with her niece Marilyn Garner of Arizona, and they were like sisters. She is also survived by a beloved great niece Marilyn Irwin of Arkansas, her husband Kelly, and three daughters Taylor, Lauren, and Kristine. She is survived by close friends Arthur and Ethel Pellerin, and is pre deceased by her closest friends Joan Rice, Barbara (Yapp) Lorenzo, and Janeth O'Keefe.

Per Helen's wishes, she has been cremated, and requested no formal services. There will be a brief graveside service on Saturday July 11 at 11A at St. Catherine's Cemetery in Westford, for close friends and family. She will be buried with the ashes of her beloved dog Ringo, beside her husband Coupe, surrounded by love. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Humane Society, Best Friends Animal Rescue, or an animal welfare/rescue charity of your choice.

Dennis and I would like to thank everyone for your thoughts, prayers, kind words, Facebook messages, flowers, and emails. Your support and kindness are very much appreciated in helping us move forward.

A special thanks to Jeanine Holmes and Dot Barnard and Family for your help, to Marilyn Irwin and Michelle Nedry for leaving your families to come support Helen in the Hospital, to Life Care Center of Littleton for providing wonderful care, and to John Martin for all you did to help Helen.