Helen (Swedis) Horan

WORCESTER – Helen (Swedis) Horan, 99, of Worcester, passed away Friday, September 29, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Helen is pre-deceased by her husband John J. Horan, her oldest son John J. Horan, Jr., and her granddaughter Cathleen Horan. She is survived by her children Susan Horan, David Horan, Gerald (Jerry) Horan, Thomas Horan, and Stephen Horan; Stephen’s wife Deborah, and John’s widow, Donna.

Helen is also survived by  her grandchildren, including Christopher Horan and his wife, Audrey; Bridget Horan; Jeremy Horan; Kristin Judice and her husband, Eric; Robert (Bob) Horan and his wife, Katie; Jenna Horan; Casidhe Troyer and her husband, Tom; Leah Horan; and Mary Cate Kuklick and her husband, Cory:  six great-granddaughters, including Charlee, Reese, Quinn, Phoebe, Isabella, and Anna:  many treasured friends and relatives in the Worcester area and beyond. She was a long-time member at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and later Our Lady of Mount Carmel and our Lady of Loretto. In recent years Helen  was a resident of Mount Carmel Apartments, Christopher Heights, and Christopher House in Worcester.

Helen was a city girl, and proud of it. She was born in 1924, the daughter of Adam and Helen Swedis, both immigrants from Lithuania. She graduated from David Hale Fanning Trade School, and worked as a seamstress to support the effort in WWII. Helen  also worked in area factories and retail stores throughout the decades while raising a large family in the Grafton Hill neighborhood of Worcester. 

Helen’s favorite store was Jordan Marsh where she worked in the men’s department. She was very proud of that position and enjoyed being part of the downtown business scene. She used the Worcester bus system to travel the city on her own well into her 80s.

Helen’s true joy in life was family, especially spending happy times with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed good conversation, watching sports (especially Red Sox, Celtics, and UConn women’s basketball), visiting Lake Park, sharing good meals, sending cards, celebrating birthdays, and embracing the everyday simple joys in life. Words cannot express how much she meant to us. Rest in Peace with God, dear Helen.

Helen’s family would like to thank Christopher Heights and Christopher House for all their help and kindness. Also the staff at the UMass Medical Center especially the 3rd Floor Stepdown Unit. Their compassion and gentleness was amazing. 

A period of calling hours will be held Thursday, October 5, from 10 am to 12 noon followed by a prayer service at noon in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.  Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.  In honor of Helen, please consider a contribution to Special Olympics 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, Ma in memory of Cathleen Horan.