Sydney
We, the family, are heartbroken to announce that Helen Carroll-Donnelly died on Saturday, December 24, 2022, after a breathtakingly short battle with cancer.
Helen was born in Whitney Pier on August 19, 1949, and was predeceased by her mother, Anne Carroll (nee Dunn); father, Paul Carroll; brother, Kevin; sister, Donna; husband, Frank Donnelly, and granddaughter, Erica Tate.
Helen, a graduate of JE Burke High School in Dorchester, MA, was, and will remain loved by many, especially in her various roles as a supreme and tireless volunteer at the Whitney Pier Historical Society. She served in the US Army as a medic and held many positions on the museum board over the years.
Helen was well-known for her “wicked” sense of humor and enormous heart. Her absence leaves an unfillable hole in ours, but we are grateful that her struggle has ended.
Helen is survived by her adoring daughter, Tracy Carroll (Alex Johnas); grandchildren, Mitchell and Colleen Carroll; brother, Paul ‘Buddy’ Carroll (Betty); sisters, Patricia Lydon (Leo), Terry Campbell (Eddie), Susan Carter (Kevin), and Margaret Cratty; uncles, Frank Dunn (Sandra), Simon Gillis (the late Myrna), and Tom O’Flaherty (Lillian) and her aunt, Josephine ‘Daisy’ Dunn. She was devoted to her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. Thank you for your endless support and unconditional love.
A special thanks goes out to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, EHS, the VG Cancer Center in Halifax (Dickson Building) and, with endless gratitude, we would like to recognize Dr. D’Intino and staff (Jackie, Lenore, Emily, and Michelle) at Hospice Cape Breton, who were instrumental in helping to make our last days with Helen bearable.
Cremation has taken place at the Pier Community Funeral Home and internment will be in May or June of 2023, when all who love her can gather from far and wide to celebrate her incredibly rich and meaningful life.
Should you wish to make a donation in Helen’s name, please consider the Hospice-Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County or Whitney Pier Historical Society.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Helen will be missed and remembered forever with love and laughter.
Online Condolences
RIP Helen no more suffering on this earth. Say hi to Arno for me 💕
From: Peggy Johnson
So sorry to hear of Ellen passing (Ann Dunn first cousin) Will keep Her & the Family in my Prayers May God Bless You all
From: Ada JANE Hagen
So sorry for your loss. As a bus driver I visited the museum in Whitney Pier with tourist. Always waiting till the door to open she would come on give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek as well as greeting the tourist. Inside she would have a cup of coffee on the table waiting. She was a beautiful woman who is going to be missed. Love you Helen and will always remember you.
From: Norm Porter
I knew Helen through her daughter, Tracy. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing.
Tracy, our sincere condolences at this devastating time. Please know we are sending our love and prayers to the entire family.
To all of Helen’s family our sincere condolences to you all. Helen Rest In Peace, we know you will be your families guardian Angel ..
I feel badly for the Carroll family, especially Patsy with whom I was a friend before she and her family moved to Boston. I did not know Helen personally but I know that I would have liked her as she came from a friendly, loving family. It is so sad to lose a sibling and parents and I offer my condolences to all the family. Rest in peace Helen.
Mr Mrs Kenneth carew send our deepest sympathy to Helen’s family the loss of a sibling is very hard I we know she won’t be suffering any more may she R.I.P.
Tracy, I’m very sorry to hear this, I know you were very close. Prayers for your mom.
Patsy and family,
Helen was a wonderful person with a great sense of humour. We had some hilarious conversations over the years. A new star shines in the sky tonight..my sincere condolences on your loss.
I was so saddened to read of Helen’s passing. I knew Helen through her volunteer work at the Whitney Pier Museum.
To each in Helen’s family I wish to extend my sincerest condolances. I also know how much her friends at the Museum were loved by Helen and she by them.
Helen was so joyful when she spoke of her family. Although I did not have the pleasure of meeting you in person I know she has left to you each a wonderful legacy.
May knowing that Helen’s friends are thinking of you bring some comfort.
Helen you will truly be missed.
Wiith warm affection and my sympathy to each in Helen’s family and her many dear friends.
Audree Coyle
I volunteered with Helen at the Whitney Pier Historical museum for many years. Helen was a wonderful person to be around, she will be missed greatly. RIP Helen
My sincerest condolences to all of you .Helen was gracious, kind , and full of fun. She’ll be missed by all who knew her. Your hearts are heavy , but know that she is at rest. God’s Blessings to all of you..Hugs going out to you. Jeannie Mc Leod.
To the family and friends of Helen
I met Helen when I became a volunteer at the Whitney Pier Museum about seven years ago. I remember how impressed I was with the volunteering by Helen and others with the constant and consistent attention to the care and operation of the Museum (Whitney Pier Historical Society). Helen was very much a part of this and a person who was welcoming and showed a very good sense of humor and pride in Whitney Pier. She was easygoing and loved a good laugh. I was saddened to learn of her passing; it seemed quick. Helen will certainly be missed by all who have come to know her. She will be remembered.
Tony Dalton
Our family has lost a bright light, a shining star. Helen was truly full of love and laughter with a tiny handful of mischief thrown in for good measure. She had a way of making sure everyone was comfortable and welcome and happy. We send the biggest hugs and so much love to the family and friends Helen leaves behind. We share in your grief and we love you all. Kenny, Teenie &Susie Dunn, Paris Ontario
I did not know you but the hurt to lose a loved one is very painful and if you’re anything like your sister you will be truly missed. God please bless her survivors and shelter their hearts. Explain that her body is now gone but her soul will remain with her family forever. You…God have her in the best place in the world and now there’s another angel watching over your family….AMEN!
I miss you my wonderful friend, our tea, our talks, our hugs. Getting you out of the house was always interesting, if we weren’t shopping, we were eating or attending some theater live show. We had some laughs and we shared some tears. I will carry you in my heart forever, my secret sister. My love and prayers to your lovely daughter Tracy whom you loved dearly. We talked for hours about the choices we made for our children and how they turned out stronger for it anyway. And best part is they still love us…lol. Tracy the time you gave your mom before she passed, how you cared for her will always touch my heart. Patsy, what a beautiful sister you were to Helen. She loved you so. My condolences to all of Helen’s family, I know she loved you too. God Bless…Karen Epifano