Avid bridge player and golfer, traveled extensively
Published October 9, 2019
LYNNFIELD — Helen Mary James, 100, of Lynnfield, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.
Born in Peabody on Aug. 20, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Marcus and Nellie (Dowd) Peterson.
Mrs. James was raised in Peabody and was a graduate of Peabody High School and then attended Salem State University. She had gone to work for General Electric, where she met her husband, the late Herbert James. After their marriage on Aug. 8, 1943, they settled in Peabody before moving to Salem, where they raised their family and lived for many years. Mrs. James was an avid bridge player and in her younger years was a golfer. She also traveled extensively which she enjoyed tremendously.
She was the beloved wife of the late Herbert James. She was the loving mother of Diane Richard and her husband Wayne of Wilmington; Andrea Ketschke of Haverhill; Bert James and his wife Teresa of Lynnfield; and Stephanie Budd and her late husband Lewis of Lynnfield. She was the cherished grandmother of Alexa, Sarah and Marc Budd; Matthew and Benjamin Ketschke; Alexandra Crowe; Gabrielle, JJ, and Pierce James; and Allison Richard. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Hannah, Jacob, Aaron, Joshua and Evan Ketschke; and Amelia, Tessa and Isabelle Crowe. She is also survived by her dear friend, Nancy Fennessey, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by six brothers and sisters.
Her funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday, Oct. 11 at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield at 11 a.m. Interment will take place Calvary Cemetery in Winchester. Visitation for relatives and friends will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Williams Syndrome Association, 570 Kirts Blvd. Suite 223. Troy, MI 48084-4153.
