Helen Mary Lawless

With heavy hearts, the family of Helen Mary Lawless (née O’Neill), affectionately known as “Honey” to her sisters, announce her passing on July 18, 2026, at the Ridgewood Veterans Wing in Saint John, NB, at the age of 100. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family and lived her long life with grace, humour, and kindness.

Born on December 8, 1925, in Newcastle, NB, Helen grew up in Saint John on Rockland Road, where evenings were filled with singing, laughter, and a pot of tea always on the stove. After graduating from St. Vincent’s High School, she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII, serving proudly as a Meteorology Technician. Following the war, she completed business studies and worked at Great West Life until her marriage.

Helen had a lifelong love for the performing arts, spending her early years singing in operettas staged by the Knights of Columbus and acting in plays at Holy Trinity Parish. It was through one of these productions that she met her future husband, when Holy Trinity needed a male lead to play opposite her. To the family’s amusement to this day, Dad—more of an athlete than an actor—agreed to take the part, and their on‑stage marriage soon blossomed into the real thing. They wed a year later in 1950 and shared forty‑seven happy years together. They raised their family in Saint John’s North End before moving to Quispamsis in 1972, where Helen lived until the age of 96.

Helen was a gentle lady—witty, kind, and devoted to family. She loved music, bridge, camping trips, and sharing tea and conversation with friends and neighbours. She was an avid reader as well; the family joke was that Dad saved her from spending her life with her nose in a book. Her Catholic faith was central to her life, and she volunteered for many years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and the Villa Madonna Retreat House. She was also a lifelong member of the Catholic Women’s League.

Predeceased by her beloved husband, J. Ralph Lawless (1997), her parents Francis Michael O’Neill (born in Fredericton) and Louisa Esther Matthews (born in London, England), and sisters Brenda Forster (Saint John), Mary Wetmore (Comox, BC), Martha Pelletier (Moncton), and Joan Murchland (Delaware, Ohio). Helen is lovingly remembered by her children Suzanne (James) McCarthy, Mary (Bob Dick) Robinson, Barbara (Don Armitage), and John (Annie Légère-Lawless); nine grandchildren (Cathy, Cindy, Craig, Laura, Steve, Jaël, David, William, Sophia); and eight great‑grandchildren.

Helen left this world with the same quiet grace she carried throughout her life. She will be dearly missed and warmly remembered in our hearts always.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Ridgewood Veterans Wing for their exceptional care.

Arrangements are entrusted to Fundy Funeral Home. There will be no visitation. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rothesay, with interment at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery. Donations to the Ridgewood Veterans Comfort Fund would be appreciated.