DANVERS- Helen M. (Nolan) Salsman, 80, of Danvers, MA, formerly a long-time resident of Hamilton, MA, passed away on July 13, 2015, after a brief Illness. Born on September 16, 1934, in Boston, MA, Helen grew up in East Boston and was the daughter of the late Aaron J. Nolan and Anastasia (Bishop) Nolan. Helen was one of eight children and is survived by her brother Francis Nolan of Brewster, MA, and her sisters Ann (Nolan) McGrath of Winthrop, MA, and Elizabeth (Nolan) McNabb of Boynton Beach, FL.

Helen graduated from East Boston High School in 1952 and immediately gained employment with the New England Telephone Company. Shortly thereafter, while on a visit to Cape Cod, she met the love of her life, Richard Barker Salsman.

Helen and Richard were married in 1955. Their wonderful partnership lasted for 60 years until Richard's passing earlier this year, and during the course of their marriage they became the proud parents of seven children born over a ten-year span.

During their early years, Helen and Richard and their growing family lived in many locations including Delaware, New Jersey, Illinois and Massachusetts. While living in Illinois, Helen became President of the Prospect Heights Mother's Club where she led a major fundraising effort benefiting the pediatric department of Cook County Hospital. In 1968, Helen and Richard settled their family of nine in Hamilton, MA, where all seven children graduated from Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, while Helen continued her civic activities as President of the Hamilton Mother's Club and volunteering at St. Paul's Church. Helen always sought out opportunities to learn new things and meet new people.

It was during these early years that Helen began her career at Connolly's Pharmacy in Hamilton where she oversaw the successful growth of their new gift shop. She chose this work specifically so that she could tailor her hours to accommodate the busy schedules of her family and keep the Salsman household operating smoothly, and it allowed her to be a fixture in the downtown Hamilton community, pleasantly serving her customers and making lifelong friends of many over the years.

As their children became young adults, Helen and Richard enjoyed travelling together. After Richard retired, Helen continued working for a few more years until she reached her personal milestone of 25 years of service at Connolly's, after which she retired and she and Richard continued to travel the world with friends and family accompanying them on many of their trips, spanning the entire U.S. and much of Europe.

Helen loved to read, and her home had as many volumes as a library. She enjoyed her dog, tending to her garden, and telling stories. She was an avid bowler and a master at church bingo nights for many years. She was a woman who offered honesty, loyalty, candor, love and laughter to all her many life-long friends. She was compassionate, funny and was happiest when surrounded by family and friends.

Helen was a loving and devoted wife to Richard and a wonderful mother to her children and even to the whole neighborhood of kids in the years at Donald Road in Hamilton. She cherished her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and they brought her endless joy.

The surviving Salsman family wishes to extend their thanks to all of Helen's friends and family who were so supportive of her after the recent loss of her husband, and we offer our deep gratitude to Dr. Mark Messenger and Dr. Jeff Odiet for their skills and their care, including helping Helen overcome cancer and giving us all so many more years with her.

Helen is survived by six of her seven children: Kathleen Salsman Mullen, of Rome, Italy; Deborah Salsman McNamara of Worcester, MA; Richard M. Salsman of Worcester, MA; Janet Salsman of Natick, MA; Stephen Salsman of Hooksett, NH; and James Salsman of Sterling, MA. In addition to the recent passing of her husband, Richard, in March of 2015, Helen had also mourned the loss of her daughter, Cynthia Salsman, in June of 2014, and her grandson Andrew Salsman, in December of 2013.

Helen is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was widely loved by a large extended family, a host of treasured friends and acquaintances, and many will mourn her passing. She will truly be missed.

ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial mass in honor of Helen will be held in St. Richard's Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers on Saturday December 5th at 9 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Immediately following the mass, the family will be hosting a reception to celebrate Helen's remarkable life at the Salem Country Club, 133 Forest St., Peabody. All are invited to attend. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St., (rte 62) Danvers. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com . In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made payable to St. Richard Catholic Church with a memo directive to the "Major Gift Initiative Fund - Handicap Accessibility" and mailed to St. Richard Church, 90 Forest Street, Danvers MA 01923.