Helen F. (Fricault) Russell

Whitinsville--Helen F. (Fricault) Russell, 80, formerly of Uxbridge, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Blackstone Valley Health and Rehab.  She leaves three sons: Joseph McLaughlin and his wife Lynn, of Brunswick, Maine, Robert W. Russell, Jr., and his wife Terri, of Uxbridge MA, and Richard W. Russell of Maine, two daughters: Koren Coggan, in North Carolina and Jennifer Collins and her partner Robert Shilinsky, of Uxbridge, MA. She was blessed with seven grandchildren: Ashlee, Nina, Celeste, Derek, Jami, Kimberly, and Brett; and 3 great grandchildren:  Adelaide, Haemish and Chloe.  In addition, Helen leaves 3 brothers, Charles Fricault of Sterling, MA; Vincent Fricault, of NH; and David Fricault, of Texas.  She was predeceased by her husband of 23 years, Robert W. Russell, Sr., her brothers Paul and Arthur, and her sister Celeste Mahoney.

A daughter of Joseph and Yvonne (Trudeau) Fricault, Helen was born December 17, 1942, in Marlborough.  She was a graduate of Marlborough High School and Framingham State College.  She moved to the Whitinsville/Uxbridge area in 1972.  

In 2007, Helen retired from Osterman Gas, where she worked for many years as a bookkeeper.  Prior to working there, she worked at several area companies including Cowan & Cowan, in Worcester, AT&T Financial in Westborough and Corning Ware, in Rhode Island.  For a time, she was a school bus driver in Milford, as well.

Helen was incredibly talented at sewing and quilting; she was a master quilter and member of the Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild, in Mendon. She participated in the Cribbage Club at the Hopedale and Northbridge Senior Centers and was passionate about animals and politics.  Other interests included genealogy, completing jigsaw puzzles, flower gardening and tending to plants.  Anyone who received a gift from her knows that her gift wrapping was a piece of art created with paper and ribbon.  She was a former member of the Good Shepherd Church.

She will be remembered for her lovable quirkiness.

Calling Hours, from 4 - 6PM, will be Thursday, July 13, 2023.  Helen’s Funeral Mass will be at 11AM, at Saint Mary’s Church, Friday, July 14, 2023.  Burial will be private.   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

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