Helen McGlynn, 92, Medford

Helen (Lenox) McGlynn, Medford’s First Lady through the 1960’s and 70’s, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday evening at the Beth Israel – Deaconess Medical Center. She was 92.

Helen was a life-long Medford resident whose family resided in Medford since 1841. The daughter of the late Joseph P. and Jane (Brennan) Lenox, Helen was a graduate of St. John’s High School in Cambridge. During World War II, she served with the Naval Inspectional Service and also served as a volunteer at the Deaconess Hospital. In April of 1944 Helen married John “Jack” McGlynn weeks before his deployment to participate in the liberation of Europe.

After Jack’s return from the service, they began their florist business, McGlynn’s Flower Shop in Medford. As Jack’s political career developed Helen was by his side campaigning as Jack served in the House of Representatives and as Mayor and City Councillor in Medford. She led local efforts to campaign for President John Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy as well as Governors Foster Furcolo and Endicott Peabody.

In the heyday of civic involvement, Helen was active in many local organizations. She served as President of the St. James Women’s Guild, Medford Catholic Women’s Club and the Catholic Daughters. She was a founding member of the Merry Wives Club, was a member of the Red Hats, led fundraising efforts for the Visiting Nurses and had the distinction of being selected to christen the Yellow Canary. As First Lady, Helen excelled as being an Ambassador of Good Will at any number of civic and social events. She retired in the mid 80’s after 20 years of service in the Admitting Dept. of the Mass Eye and Ear to aid in the care of her growing family.

The beloved wife of the Honorable John J. “Jack” McGlynn, with whom she shared 69 years of marriage. She was a devoted mother to: Atty. Jack McGlynn, Jr. and his wife Atty. Diane of Ipswich., Atty Dick McGlynn and his wife Paula of Medford, Karen McGlynn Devine of Medford, Mayor Michael J. McGlynn and his wife Sheila of Medford, Bernadette Davis and her husband Jon of Medford and Kevin B McGlynn of New York City. A loving Meeme to grandchildren: Stacey Stone and her husband Donnie, Colleen Moody and her husband Craig, Annie Walsh and her husband Rep. Steve Walsh, Richard, Michael, and John McGlynn, Kristina and Jeffrey Devine, Kathleen Brady and her husband Atty. Bill, Jennifer Belanger and her husband Aaron, Amanda McGlynn, Jonathan and Kaitlyn Davis and to great-grandchildren: Jack, Margaret and Claire Stone, Buckley “Bo” and Traigh Moody, Coley, Myles, Maeve and Brigid Helen Walsh, Cameron and Brennan Belanger and the late CJ Moody. The dear sister of Veronica Cotariu, Joseph Lenox, Jr., W. Pauline Davis, Peter Lenox and the late Theresa Keith and Janet Granara. Helen was loved and adored by her many nieces, nephews and brothers and sisters in-law.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St. Medford on Saturday and Sunday 4 – 7 PM and again on Monday morning at 10 followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford, at 11 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.

The McGlynn family wishes to thank Helen’s caregivers: from the Greater Medford Visiting Nurse Association especially Jean and Trish and from Intercity Home Care, Lisa, Anestine, Fabiola, Roxanne and Lucy for their dedication and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen’s name to the Early Intervention Consortium – C J Moody Fund c/o Alex Chatfield Minute Man Arc, 1269 Main St., Concord, MA 01742, www.cjmoodyfund.com or to Granara-Skerry Trust for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 20 Butler St., Medford, MA 02155 www.pancure.org.

– Information and photo from Dello Russo Funeral Home