Obituary for Helen Johnson McVan
Helen Johnson McVan of Arlington, Mass. died peacefully on July 13, 2023 – one month shy of her 99 th birthday. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael McVan who died on Jan. 21, 2023 at 91. They were married on Dec. 24, 2010 – she was 86 and Michael was 78.
She was born Helen Marie Jones on August 31, 1924 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. Her parents were Robert Joseph Jones (born in Boston, 1894) and Anne Costello Jones (born in Boston, 1895). Helen is also predeceased by her brother, Robert (1987), and sister, Marjorie (1935). Shortly after Helen’s birth, the Jones family bought a house at 16 Iroquois Rd in Arlington. She graduated from St. Gregory’s High School in Dorchester – and was class valedictorian.
She had two children with William Joseph Johnson – a son, Paul, and daughter, Patricia. Helen and William divorced in 1965. She was a devoted and loving mother all her life. Helen moved into 57 Orvis Road in Arlington in 1965 and lived there for nearly 40 years. She moved to Millbrook Apartments on Mill Street in 2004.
She worked as a stenographer at Standard Oil (which became Exxon). In 1965, she became a data processing supervisor at Hale & Dorr Law Firm in Boston. She worked there for more than 30 years. After she retired in 1997, she had a part-time job for “lotto money.” She worked the town elections in Arlington until she was 95. She loved playing poker. Those she knew described her as “beautiful, inside and out.” She will be missed by all.
She is survived by her children (and son-in-law, Gary Georgevich), nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and 2X great nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in Helen’s memory to Arlington EATS. Arlington EATS distributes food to those in need in Arlington so all residents have sufficient and nutritious food. The non-profit distributes over 12,000 pounds of food to 350 households every week.
Helen’s ashes will be interred with Michael’s at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in
Arlington.
She was born Helen Marie Jones on August 31, 1924 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Boston. Her parents were Robert Joseph Jones (born in Boston, 1894) and Anne Costello Jones (born in Boston, 1895). Helen is also predeceased by her brother, Robert (1987), and sister, Marjorie (1935). Shortly after Helen’s birth, the Jones family bought a house at 16 Iroquois Rd in Arlington. She graduated from St. Gregory’s High School in Dorchester – and was class valedictorian.
She had two children with William Joseph Johnson – a son, Paul, and daughter, Patricia. Helen and William divorced in 1965. She was a devoted and loving mother all her life. Helen moved into 57 Orvis Road in Arlington in 1965 and lived there for nearly 40 years. She moved to Millbrook Apartments on Mill Street in 2004.
She worked as a stenographer at Standard Oil (which became Exxon). In 1965, she became a data processing supervisor at Hale & Dorr Law Firm in Boston. She worked there for more than 30 years. After she retired in 1997, she had a part-time job for “lotto money.” She worked the town elections in Arlington until she was 95. She loved playing poker. Those she knew described her as “beautiful, inside and out.” She will be missed by all.
She is survived by her children (and son-in-law, Gary Georgevich), nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and 2X great nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in Helen’s memory to Arlington EATS. Arlington EATS distributes food to those in need in Arlington so all residents have sufficient and nutritious food. The non-profit distributes over 12,000 pounds of food to 350 households every week.
Helen’s ashes will be interred with Michael’s at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in
Arlington.