Helen Marie McGrath, 77, Was Island Hospital Nurse

Helen Marie (Bettencourt) McGrath died Monday, August 5, at Martha's Vineyard Hospital. She was 77 years old.

Mrs. McGrath was born in Oak Bluffs on March 3, 1925. She was the daughter of the late A. Mooney Bettencourt and Dorothy R. Bradley, both of whom were born on the Island.

Her father's job as a power plant engineer made it necessary for the family to relocate to Taunton. From there Helen was graduated from Taunton High School in 1942 and went on to Truesdale Nursing School in Fall River to become a registered nurse.

She enjoyed being a private nurse for an Edgartown family, which traveled extensively with Helen. She was able to see most of the United States.

Mrs. McGrath went to work for Taunton State Hospital and then later at Morton Hospital in Taunton. She retired from the Martha's Vineyard Hospital in 1990 after working there for 10 years.

As a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and with 27 years of sobriety, Helen touched more people with a loving hand and strong support. She would help anyone in need.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Stewart, and her husband, John, of Noblesville, Ind.; her brother, William A. Bettencourt, of Oak Bluffs; three grandsons, Andrew Stewart, of Oak Bluffs, Daniel Stewart and Hunter Stewart, both of Noblesville, Ind.; and a legion of friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Thomas Bettencourt.

Her funeral mass will be celebrated in the Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs on Thursday, August 8, at noon. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs. There will be a Celebration of Life for Helen Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in the St. Elizabeth Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend. Visiting hours are in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, on Wednesday evening, August 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations may be made in her memory to the Vineyard House, P.O. Box 3311, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.