Helen Laughlin McNamara

McNamara, Helen "Sancy" Helen "Sancy" McNamara passed away March 14, 2015. Sancy was born on March 7, 1923 to Roy and Helen Laughlin of Elwood, Indiana. She was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. In her early years she was an avid golfer who spent weekends on the course with her family and friends. She also loved playing bridge which she did up until her death. She could often be found running the gift shop at Mercy Hospital serving as a Pink Lady. Sancy was dedicated to her family and spent many hours volunteering in classrooms at St Margaret Mary and on the PTA at Bishop Moore. She also loved attending the sporting events for her sons throughout their high school years. As her children grew into adulthood and started families of their own, Sancy looked forward to the family gatherings where she was surrounded by those she loved most. One of her favorite family events was the annual beach reunion. Watching her family grow from year to year was what kept her young. In her seventies and eighties, she spent much of her time as a volunteer in her daughter's kindergarten classroom at Good Shepherd Catholic School. To hundreds of children who passed through those halls, she was affectionately known as "Gramma Mac". She had mastered technology, and used her iPad and Social Media sites such as Face Book, to stay connected with her children, nieces and nephews, grand children, and even a few great grand children. She was a fierce competitor on Words With Friends. She also led her team in Jeopardy and often collected the winnings at Chambrel/Brookdale's Bingo! Next to her family, her greatest loves were Notre Dame, NASCAR, and most recently, Duck Dynasty! If any of these three were airing on the TV, chances are Sancy could be found tuning in. Sancy is preceded in death by her husband Joseph and daughter-in-law Susan, sister Mary L. McNamara and brothers, Roy and Dick Laughlin. She is survived by her sisters, Martha Heidrich, Patsy Banks, Dorothy Meagher, and brothers Ted and Don Laughlin. She is also survived by her nine children, Mike McNamara, Pat McNamara (Bev), Danny McNamara, Maury McNamara (Bev), Kevin McNamara (Nancy), Theresa Hall (Jeff), Ted McNamara (Marie), Margie Brannon (Tracy), and Ellen Fahey (Tim). She will be missed dearly by her 34 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren. A wake service will be held on Wednesday, March 18th from 6-8 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Margaret Mary on Thursday, March 19th at 9:30 a.m. A reception will follow in the Parish Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Shepherd Catholic School Foundation, 5902 Oleander Dr, Orlando, FL 32807 If you are unable to attend the services, you can still unite with Sancy's family, Please see below: PRAYER VIGIL: Real time viewing beginning 6:25pm (5 minutes before the Prayer Vigil begins): http://www.stmargaretmary.org/livestream/event/HelenMcNamaraPrayerVigil.html Delayed viewing until 11:00 pm Wednesday: http://www.stmargaretmary.org/livestream/event/HelenMcNamaraPrayerVigilarch.html MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Real time viewing beginning 9:25am (5 minutes before the Mass begins): http://www.stmargaretmary.org/livestream/event/HelenMcNamaraMassofChristianBurial.html Delayed viewing until 11:00 pm Thursday: http://www.stmargaretmary.org/livestream/event/HelenMcNamaraMassofChristianBurialarch.html

Helen Laughlin McNamara

March 7, 1923 - March 14, 2015