Helene Constance (West) Meehl

Helene W. Meehl, 93, of Abington passed away peacefully in the early morning of Thursday, March 24th, at Life Care Center of Plymouth following a short period of ill health.

Helene was the eldest and only surviving child of the late George E. West, Sr., and Constance H. West. 

Helene was born in Milton, MA on March 3, 1923, raised in Adam Shore, Quincy and graduated from Woodward School for Girls.  She received her R.N. degree from Quincy City Hospital School of Nursing and was a Cadet Nurse during World War II.  She became a staff nurse at Quincy City Hospital in 1954 and retired as a nursing supervisor in 1979 to care for her elderly parents.  In retirement she became the “go-to” babysitter for family and friends and loved every minute spent with the children.

Helene loved to travel with family and friends.  She treated her children to annual vacations to Dennisport starting in the 1950s and took her last trip there last summer.  She enjoyed many trips with her friends from the hospital whether by car, plane, or boat.  Florida became the spot she spent many weeks in the winter with family, avoiding the cold snowing weather in Abington.  By far, her best trip was to Switzerland for her sister Lynn’s wedding to Russell Nelson.  She and her siblings were even included in part of the honeymoon traveling through Northern Italy for a few days with the newlyweds.

Helene looked forward to the holidays, especially Christmas and the Swedish traditions passed down from her grandparents.  She enjoyed baking and sewing, be it a simple hem or a special dress for her granddaughter, Lee-Ann.  She thoroughly enjoyed a good cup of coffee with her daily newspaper and a piece of Swedish coffee cake on the side.

One of her best memories of her family’s life was her family being chosen by the Sears Roebuck Catalogue to show how their products could make a busy family’s life easier.  The company photographed the family using many Sears products and wearing clothing offered in the catalogue.  The family was gifted with all the products used in the photos as well as all the clothing.  It was quite a treat for a hard-working family in the early 1940s.

Helene’s greatest joy was her family and the love they all shared.  She is survived by her daughter, Jacalynn M. Mercer of Abington, and her son Jack B. Meehl, Jr. and his wife Patricia of Plymouth, and their children, Craig Meehl of Norwell and Lee-Ann of Plymouth.  She is also survived by her nieces and nephews and their families including Kathy West Ciavacco of New York and Dennis, MA; Janis Donlan of Abington and W. Dennis; Dr. David Marcello III of Virginia; Dr. Peter Marcello of Bedford and Scituate; Paul O’Brien of Russia; David O’Brien of Virginia; and Mark O’Brien of Florida.  She was pre-deceased by her brother George E. West, Jr., and his wife Shirley and their son Steven, and her sisters Lynn Nelson and her husband Russell Nelson, and Carole Marcello and her husband Dr. David E. Marcello, Jr.

Helene was a strong, quiet woman with a generous and compassionate spirit.  Her love of family, especially for her two children, was her strength, only surpassed by their love for her.

Funeral services on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Quealy Funeral Home, 116 Adams Street, Abington. 

Visitation on Tuesday, 4-7 PM. 

Her burial will be at the family plot at Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the West Family Scholarship started over 40 years ago when her father passed.  It helps students preparing for a future of helping others such as through medicine or teaching.  Contributions may be sent to the West Family Scholarship, United Church of Christ in Abington, P.O. Box 2025, Abington, MA  02351.

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