Helena Katherine Barry Burrill

On September 17th, 2024 Helena Katherine Barry Burrill passed away peacefully at 81 years old. 

Helen left an amazing legacy of love to her husband of 58 years, Frederick Burrill. She will always be lovingly remembered by her daughters Suzanne Burrill Harrington and Nicole Burrill, as well as their partners Paul Hurley and Fran Selvaggio. She loved and adored her grandchildren: Olivia Harrington, Bradley Harrington, Trey Harrington, Freddie Selvaggio and Marco Selvaggio. She was a mother-figure and mentor to many of her nieces and nephews and many of the friends she inspired and nurtured throughout her life. 

Helen was born on October 10th, 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts. As the 11th of 12 children born to Rose & Philip Barry, she always prioritized family and connection. She would later live in Jamaica Plain with her young family and then move to Duxbury, MA where she watched her girls grow up and co-owned and co-operated Budget Print & Copy Center in Plymouth, MA with her husband Fred. After leaving Duxbury, she lived in Brookline, MA for over a decade while working at Copy Cop on Boylston Street and after retirement she settled in Westwood, MA at Highland Glen.  

Helen was a legend and a force of nature. If you knew her, you loved her and she loved you back. She was inspiring, motivating, funny, and kind. She loved to cook and bake and feed people. Everything that she made was somehow delicious and uniquely special. She had a knack for picking out the best things - whether it was people to be her friends, fruit at the grocery store, or her life partner, Fred. Helen lived her life on her own terms and her terms were all about kindness, integrity and service to others. 

We will all miss her dearly but she so intentionally integrated herself into our lives that she will always be here with us and among us. May every moment, memory and sign she sends to you be a blessing.  

You are welcome and invited to attend a Visitation in the Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home at 55 High Rock St., Westwood on Tuesday morning September 24th from 9am – 10:30am. Following the Visitation, a Mass will be celebrated at 11am at Saint Margaret Mary Church, 845 High St. Westwood. We will be hosting a lunch afterward at Olde Colonial Cafe in Norwood. 

Information about her interment will be provided later. Her wishes were to be cremated and when we find the perfect spot for her, we will let you know the details.