Helen M. Nerney

Helen M. Nerney, of Coventry, CT, previously of Narragansett, RI, and Franklin MA, died peacefully at Windham Hospital in Windham, CT, on April 13, surrounded by her loving family. She was 95. Helen married the love of her life, Raymond Nerney Sr., in 1942. The Nerneys lived for many years in Cranston, RI, before relocating the family to Franklin, MA, in 1966. Following Raymond’s retirement, they moved to Narragansett, RI, so they could live next to the ocean. They spent many hours traveling to visit children and grandchildren throughout New England and New York, and a treasured memory was a trip to Ireland in 1992 with several of their children and grandchildren. Raymond predeceased Helen in 1994. Born and raised in Providence, RI, Helen was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Killay. She was predeceased by her sister Agnes Lee and brothers Thomas and Joseph Killay. She was best known as Mom, Gramma or Aunt Helen, an infinitely kind and gracious woman with an incredible gift for recalling people, places and things that were important to members of her extensive family. She loved to hear the details of their lives and in recent years learned to navigate Facebook so she could keep up on the daily happenings and accomplishments of her loved ones. Gramma most treasured time spent with family, sharing stories, laughing, listening to the musical talents of her children and grandchildren, and holding babies. Each year, she orchestrated the details of Thanksgiving dinner as she patiently awaited the return of those involved in the annual family football game. She was an avid map reader and developed a reputation among her grandchildren as a gifted ice cream scooper and entertaining storyteller. Her family will miss her sense of humor, lilting laugh, devotion to family, and her highly anticipated holiday cookies. She loved with a generosity beyond compare, her life guided by caring, compassion and her faith. She leaves eight children, each of whom she loved best, including: Raymond (Marcia) Nerney of South Kingstown, RI; Michael (Camille) Nerney of Long Lake, NY; David (the late Carol) Nerney of Coventry, RI; Joseph (Sue) Nerney of New Hartford, CT; Christopher (Karen) Nerney of Ballston Spa, NY; Jeffrey Nerney of Rutland, VT; Brendan (Sue Gilbert) Nerney of Rutland, VT; and Ellen (Tom) Boudreau of Coventry, CT. She was Gramma to Dawn (Frank) DeLuca of Charlestown, RI; April (Scott) Shanaman of Auburn, ME; Josh (Tami) McInerney of Ashland City, TN; Matt (Natalie) Nerney of Grafton, NH; Micaela (Jason) Hall of Long Lake, NY; Colleen Nerney of Columbus, Ohio; David (Rebecca) Nerney Jr. of Coventry, RI; Patricia (Keith King) Nerney of Coventry, RI; Joseph Nerney Jr. of Wilmington, VT; Joshua Morton of Vashon Island, WA.; Julia, Katie and Declan Nerney of Ballston Spa, NY; Ethan Nerney of Rutland, VT; Justin Boudreau of Branson, MO; Corey Boudreau of New York, NY; and Meghan Boudreau of Coventry, CT. She was also great-grandmother of 14 and great-great grandmother of two. She also leaves nieces and nephews: Jean Carbalho of Ocala, Florida; Tommy (Enid) Killay of Cranston, RI; Karen Lee of Warwick, RI; Debbie Lee of Rumford, RI; Terry (Joyce) Lee of Cranston, RI, Brenda (Wes) Russell of Peoria, AZ; and Kevin (Doris) Lee of Cranston, RI. She was also the aunt of the late Janet Phillips and Adrienne Lee. Visiting hours will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 21, at St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland St., Narragansett, RI. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Wakefield, RI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Make A Wish Foundation.