Helen Reilly Curtin

SALEM - Helen Reilly Curtin, fondly known as “Muffet”, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 19th. Helen was married to Dr. Patrick H. Curtin, and they shared sixty-one beautiful years of marriage together. Helen was born at the Mary Alley Hospital in Marblehead. She was the daughter of the late Mary Dooling Reilly and John F. Reilly of Marblehead. She was a graduate of St. James High School (Salem), Merrimack College (BA, Early Education) and received her master’s degree in education from Salem State College.

A beloved teacher in the Peabody Public School District for 40 years, Helen spent most of her years at the Carroll School alongside exceptional teachers, many of whom became life-long friends. Helen possessed a deeply compassionate spirit and found her greatest joy in the company of her family and friends. The Curtin home was “Party Central” for countless social events and the door was always open to everyone.

A woman of strong faith, Helen volunteered and supported many charitable organizations and was always ready to help people in need. She had a passion for literature and enjoyed many “book chats” with her grandchildren in addition to the friendship of her book club ladies. She never missed a game, match, or performance of one of her children and, later, grandchildren along with their many graduation ceremonies from kindergarten to graduate school.

Helen is survived by her husband Dr. Patrick Curtin of Salem, their three children Tim Curtin and wife Jody of Danvers, Mary Jackson and husband Brad of Beverly, and Dr. Matt Curtin and wife Laurie of Beverly, brother Joseph Reilly, sister Maryann “Penny” Lemelin and brother-in-law Robert, and sister-in-law Gail Reilly as well as her grandchildren Andrew and Carolyn Curtin, Ryan, Mia, and Owen Jackson, Emma, Meghan, and Annie Curtin, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brother Jack Reilly, sister-in-law Judy Reilly, and nephew Jeffrey Reilly.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend Helen’s funeral Mass which will be held at Our Lady, Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave., Marblehead on Saturday, December 27th at 10:30 A.M. followed by her burial in Star of the Sea Cemetery, Marblehead (Please meet directly at church). Visiting hours will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem on Friday, December 26th from 4 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory may be made to My Brother’s Table (mybrotherstable.org) or the Kaplan Family Hospice House (caredimensions.org). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.