Helen L. Moran

 Helen Donovan Moran

Helen Moran of Avon-by-the-Sea passed away on May 27, 2021 surrounded by her husband of 63 years, Louis J. Moran, and her children. Her love and wisdom,  along with her joy and laughter, will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Helen was a bright light and the center of her family, always welcoming visitors to her front porch, especially in the summer when grandchildren and friends gathered. She adored life and passed along her spirit of hospitality to everyone she met. Gatherings were typically filled with laughter, singing, and funny stories retold a thousand times! (Thank you to our patient in-laws for laughing along through the years!)

Helen was born in Jersey City on June 5, 1936 and was raised on 3rd Street in Bayonne, NJ. The 10th of 12 children, she was orphaned at age 10 and was raised by her siblings: David, Eileen, Robert, William, Claire, Jackie, Raymond, Joan, Maureen, James, and Richard. Helen attended Saint Andrew’s grammar school, Holy Family Academy high school, Saint Elizabeth’s Nursing School, and New Jersey University BSN. She was an emergency room nurse at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital, and later a nursing instructor at Union County College. She was an avid reader, and had an amazing gift of recalling conversations and details of events from years past. Helen was a beach enthusiast and loved nothing more than sitting at sunset with her children and grandchildren enjoying the most perfect moments of the day in the late afternoon light.  Truly, there was nothing better.

Helen and her husband Louis were married in June 1958 at Saint Andrew’s Church in Bayonne after meeting at St. Elizabeth Hospital. They raised their family in Cranford, NJ. Later, moving to Avon-by-the-Sea, they completely embraced the relaxation of the sand and sea. She was so grateful to live in such a beautiful town, often referring to Avon as “Brigadoon”!

Helen and Louis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Adare Manor, Ireland, renewing their marriage vows,  surrounded by all their children and grandchildren. 

Helen’s deep faith was an inspiration to everyone she met, making each person in her presence feel cherished and loved. Helen is survived by her husband Louis J. Moran, children Michael and wife Julie, Barbara and husband Dan, David and wife Suzanne, Mary Lou and husband John, Matthew and wife Jennifer.  Her beautiful grandchildren: Colleen, Eileen, Meghan, Michael, Claire, Daniel, Owen, David, Shannon, Erin, Kate, John Thomas, Maggie, and Emmett. 

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Michael’s Church in Cranford, NJ on June 5, 2021 at 9:00 am.  

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:  

Doctors Without Borders www.DoctorsWithoutBorders.org  

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