|
Helen R. McGrath, 86, died peacefully after a lingering illness on March 4, 2001. She was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where she and her family suffered through the Great Depression. She met and married her husband, James, and began her family. After a try in the insurance business and a brief stay in Michigan with farming, Helen, Jim, their children and her father piled in the car and moved across country to the Land of Enchantment to seek their fortune. Helen initially stayed at home where she put her heart and soul into raising her children. Her husband, Jim, began a successful career as a history professor and Vice President at the College of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande (which later became the University of Albuquerque.) After her last child started school, Helen began to work outside the home. After a brief stint in the wholesale food business, Helen became the first secretary for the principal at St. Pius X High School, where she served faithfully until retiring in 1965. She and her husband were great believers in parochial education and made many sacrifices to ensure that their children would attend Catholic school all the way through college. Helen attended daily Mass her whole life and was active in her church, including St. Charles Borromeo and Our Lady of Guadalupe. She did much volunteer work, including distributing food to the needy at St. Vincent de Paul. She also attended Living Rosary and bible study groups until her health failed her. Helen was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Elsie Olma, and her loving husband of 42 years, James W. McGrath. She also survived the untimely death of her brother, John Olma, at a young age and her sister, Rosemary Thomasma. Helen is fortunately survived by all her children; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren, Father Andre McGrath, of Shreveport, LA, Joseph McGrath and his wife, Susan, of Boston, MA and grandchildren Claire, Meghan and Tara, Mary Hintermaier and her husband, Bob, of Saudi Arabia, and grandchildren Rob, Ginny and great-grandchild, Sarah, Tim and great-grandchild Zach, Mac McGrath and wife, Marilyn, of Scottsdale, AZ and grandchildren Daniel, Colin, and Maggie, Therese Koller, of Salt Lake City, UT and grandchildren, Scott and Ted, Chip McGrath, of Albuquerque, and grandchildren, Josh, Lucas, and David. Although Helen struggled with her hearing, she very much enjoyed opera and other music. Her life was her family, her religion, and her many close friends. As a result of her devotion, zeal, and example, her children have had successful careers, marriages and vocations. Four of her natural children have been married in excess of 30 years and her oldest son has been a priest for three and half decades. Her family would like to thank the staff of Vista del Rio Retirement for their caring support over the last few weeks of her life. They also appreciate the medical care of Dr. Chris Meuli and other physicians and staff of Lovelace. Helen particularly enjoyed the care and company of her grandson, Lucas, and his girlfriend, Christine Romero, who were so kind to her. She was a special woman and we are all richer for her love, care and devotion. Services are still pending. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Rob Hintermaier, Daniel McGrath, Colin McGrath, Josh McGrath, Lucas McGrath, and David McGrath. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Helen's memory to the Brothers of Good Shepard in Albuquerque, or the Lyke Franciscan Community, 2932 Murphy Street, Shreveport, LA 71103-2241. Strong-Thorne Mortuary is in charge of her arrangements.
|
