Helen A. McDonald

WEST BROOKFIELD - Helen A. [Schneider] McDonald passed away on June 14, 2025, peacefully at home.

Helen was born in Turners Falls at home on December 1, 1934, to the late William C. and Dorothy Rau Schneider. At the age of 6, the family moved to Southbridge, where she graduated from the former Mary E. Wells High School. In 1952, she began her nursing career at the Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester, MA, graduating in 1955. In 1967, she married Richard J. McDonald, and they lived in Southbridge for 30 years before moving to West Brookfield.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard, and her six children: Lisa [Lemmelin] Swisher, Lee [Lemmelin] Duquette, Thayne [Lemmelin] Parker, Cindy [Lemmelin] Lebeaux, Mary McDonald, and William McDonald. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, with one on the way. Helen was predeceased by her brother, William R. Schneider of California, and her grandson, Sean, of Colorado.

She worked in geriatric nursing for 34 years, 17 years at the former Southbridge Nursing Home and 17 years at the Masonic Home in Charlton. She enjoyed decorating her home, inside and out, gardening, weed whacking, and reading. Helen was a member of the Memorial School of Nursing Alumni Association and the Congregational Church of West Brookfield.

Helen’s calling hours are 5-7 PM, Wednesday, June 25, in her home at 155 Long Hill Road, West Brookfield, MA on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025. Due to the house service, the burial at Oak Ridge will be private. 

Belanger-Bullard Funeral Home, 51 Marcy Street in Southbridge, is directing arrangement. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Macular Degeneration Research at https://donate.brightfocus.org

An online guestbook and a video tribute can be found at www.BelangerFuneralHome.com