Helen Theresa Ranaghan

PORTLAND - Helen Theresa Ranaghan, 95, died on October 19, 2013, at a Portland hospital following a brief illness. She was born in Portland on October 12, 1918, the youngest of a large family. Her parents were John S. and Sara C. Mullin Quinn. Helen was a proud graduate of Portland High School, Class of '36, and went on to graduate from Northeastern Business College. Helen worked as an executive secretary for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company prior to the birth of her children. On November 5, 1949, Helen married her childhood sweetheart, Richard J. Ranaghan, Sr., a Portland Police Officer. Early in their marriage they lived on Cumberland Avenue, close to where they spent their youth. They then had a home built in Libbytown where they created lifelong memories. Helen especially appreciated living near her sister, Rita, and many a day they made several trips back and forth between their homes. The two sisters enjoyed one another's company and afternoons would often find them out shopping together. Helen kept a meticulous household and found great satisfaction in working in her yard and tending her flower beds. Helen was predeceased by her siblings: Sarah Catherine McGonagle, twins William Henry and Charles Mullin Quinn, John Martin Quinn, Mary Adeline Chalmers and Rita Elizabeth Allen. Helen's husband, "Diddy" died in October of last year. Helen is survived by her son, Richard J. Ranaghan, Jr. and his partner, Joy O'Brien, of Portland; a daughter, Margaret Hoyt and son-in-law, Gary, of Scarborough. Her grandchildren include James and Matthew Ranaghan and John, Elizabeth and Sarah Catherine Hoyt. Among her many nieces and nephews, Helen was most appreciative of the care and attention shown by Jane Kenny and Sarah "Sally" McGonagle. She considered her niece, Mary DiDonato, to be like a second daughter. Helen so enjoyed their calls, visits and gifts of chocolate! Visiting hours will be held from 5 -7 pm on Tuesday, October 22nd at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home at 9:15 am on Wednesday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. In tribute to Helen's husband, she requested that donations in lieu of flowers be offered to the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, 383 U S Route 1, Suite 2 C, Scarborough, ME 04074.Online condolences may be expressed below.