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Helen Margaret Galvin O'Connell

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Helen Margaret Galvin O'Connell

Birth	:	15 Jul 1917 Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana, USA
Death	:	29 Jun 1997 Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate	:	34.2616997, -82.2221985
Description	:	Margaret Helen Galvin was born in Butte, Montana, on July 15, 1917. She was one of eight children born to Frank and Margie Galvin. She graduated from Great Falls High School and lived most of her life in Great Falls. In 1935 she married Clarence J. O'Connell at St. Joseph's Parish. Their children included Patricia Maureen (Nene) Stone, Sharron Schneiderhan, Patrick O'Connell, Mickey Ledford, and John O'Connell (deceased at birth.) Her husband Clarence passed away in 1981. They were blessed with twelve grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren. Besides her children, Helen is survived by four sisters: Frances Gleason,... Read More	Margaret Helen Galvin was born in Butte, Montana, on July 15, 1917. She was one of eight children born to Frank and Margie Galvin. She graduated from Great Falls High School and lived most of her life in Great Falls. In 1935 she married Clarence J. O'Connell at St. Joseph's Parish. Their children included Patricia Maureen (Nene) Stone, Sharron Schneiderhan, Patrick O'Connell, Mickey Ledford, and John O'Connell (deceased at birth.) Her husband Clarence passed away in 1981. They were blessed with twelve grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren. Besides her children, Helen is survived by four sisters: Frances Gleason, Connie Golightly, Audrey Cefro, and Bridgie Jimenez; and a brother, Pat Galvin. Two sisters, Ruth Butler and Hazel Mauch, preceded her in death. In 1949, Helen was the first woman elected to the Great Falls City Council, and later served eight terms in the Montana state legislature. She was considered a powerhouse in Great Falls' old mayor-council form of government. As a legislator, she displayed equal vigor in championing or opposing causes. She fought fiercely for bettering Great Falls' West Side and supported economic development and pension improvements for labor. She was more conservative on social issues. She was an outspoken opponent of abortion, and her effort to overturn Montana's unisex insurance law in 1987 was foiled only by a veto from then-Governor Ted Schwinden. Helen was the first woman to be elected to the Great Falls city council. After an unsuccessful run for mayor in 1950, and time off to raise her family, she served five more terms on the council, including two as president. As a council member, she worked to improve retirement benefits for the Great Falls Police Department and was instrumental in getting West Junior High School built. During her career, she was designated as the first honorary member of the Montana Highway Patrol. In 1974 she was elected to the Montana House of Representatives from the west side of Great Falls. She served eight terms, and in 1990, when she announced she would not seek re-election, it came as a surprise to leaders of both political parties. She said "It was time to pass the torch to somebody else. It's been practically 40 years of public service. I hope I have served my people well." She didn't pass the torch all that far, as her brother Pat Galvin, was elected to her vacated seat. In 1991, at age 73, she was delighted when she visited the House of Representatives and received a standing ovation. Rep. Bob Ream vacated his seat to let her sit in the chair she had occupied during her many years in the House. She also received an essay about her written by Brian Johnson, a junior at C.M. Russell High School. In part, Johnson wrote, "The absence of this woman in the political arena has left a giant void that will never be completely filled." He noted that Helen's service and dedication had elevated her "into the forefront among famous women in Montana." Besides politics, Helen was active in PTA and the activities of St. Joseph's Parish. One of her joys was following sports, especially Notre Dame football. She kept up with day to day matters by being on the phone and listening to her scanner. As we say goodbye to Helen, we're reminded of something she always said: "Say a prayer and drive with care..."

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Helen Margaret Galvin O'Connell's memorial?
Helen Margaret Galvin O'Connell's memorial is located at: Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Hodges, Greenwood County, USA.
When did Helen Margaret Galvin O'Connell death?
Helen Margaret Galvin O'Connell death on 29 Jun 1997 in Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Helen Margaret Galvin O'Connell's memorial?
Latitude: 34.2616997
Longitude: -82.2221985

Family Members:

Parent

John Francis “Frank” Galvin

(1880 - 1956)

Margaret Ellen “Margie” Dwyer Galvin

(1892 - 1978)

Spouse

Clarence Joseph O'Connell

(1910 - 1981)

Siblings

Mary Frances Galvin Gleason

(1911 - 2010)

Ruth Katherine Galvin Butler

(1913 - 1978)

Hazel Irene Galvin Mauch

(1920 - 1969)

Constance Naomi “Connie” Galvin Golightly

(1921 - 2003)

Audrey Agnes Galvin Cefro

(1924 - 2007)

PFC Patrick Glenn Galvin

(1926 - 2004)

Children

John Galvin O'Connell

(1942 - 1942)

Flowers:

Left by Anonymous on 18 Nov 2002

Left by Anonymous on 09 Jun 2004

Left by Anonymous on 15 Jun 2004

Left by Anonymous on 27 Jun 2004

REPOSE EN PAIX!

Left by Anonymous on 19 Jan 2005

Left by Anonymous on 29 Jun 2005

Left by Anonymous on 29 Sep 2005

Left by Anonymous on 29 Jun 2006

Left by Anonymous on 14 Jul 2006

Left by Anonymous on 15 Jul 2006

happy birthday helen

Left by Anonymous on 15 Jul 2006

Left by Anonymous on 29 Jun 2007

Remembering you 10 years later...Rest in peace

Left by Anonymous on 30 Jun 2007

May you rest in peace Grandmother,

Left by Anonymous on 23 Jan 2009

Left by Anonymous on 08 Jul 2021

Forget Me Not. Our Family Tree.

Left by Anonymous on 17 Aug 2021

Left by Anonymous on 18 Nov 2002

Left by Anonymous on 09 Jun 2004

Left by Anonymous on 15 Jun 2004

Left by Anonymous on 27 Jun 2004

REPOSE EN PAIX!

Left by Anonymous on 19 Jan 2005

Left by Anonymous on 29 Jun 2005

Left by Anonymous on 29 Sep 2005

Left by Anonymous on 29 Jun 2006

Left by Anonymous on 14 Jul 2006

Left by Anonymous on 15 Jul 2006

happy birthday helen

Left by Anonymous on 15 Jul 2006

Left by Anonymous on 29 Jun 2007

Remembering you 10 years later...Rest in peace

Left by Anonymous on 30 Jun 2007

May you rest in peace Grandmother,

Left by Anonymous on 23 Jan 2009

Left by Anonymous on 08 Jul 2021

Forget Me Not. Our Family Tree.

Left by Anonymous on 17 Aug 2021

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Greenwood Memorial Gardens
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2616997, -82.2221985

2. Oakbrook Memorial Park
Greenwood, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2531800, -82.2205900

3. Arnold-Cochran-Ellis-Mundy Cemetery
Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2512600, -82.2168030

4. Towsend Cemetery
Greenwood, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2739880, -82.2173350

5. Mars Hill Baptist Church Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2445830, -82.2224900

6. Morris Hill Cemetery
Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2444000, -82.2225037

7. Old Saint Paul AME Church Cemetery
Cokesbury, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2821960, -82.2141350

8. Tabernacle Cemetery
Cokesbury, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2665910, -82.1838780

9. Lomax Family Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2768780, -82.2600890

10. Watson Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2952820, -82.2364920

11. Hodges Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2915500, -82.2510900

12. Vance-Godbold Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.3085300, -82.2200500

13. Hodges Family Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.3024750, -82.2585750

14. Providence Baptist Church Cemetery
Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2789840, -82.1629500

15. Pine Grove AME Church Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.3022100, -82.2632800

16. Parker Family Cemetery
Greenwood, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2271100, -82.1691660

17. Johns Creek Baptist Church Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2068270, -82.2451340

18. Beaulah Baptist Church Cemetery
Greenwood, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2083300, -82.1940000

19. Saint John Cemetery
Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2164001, -82.2686005

20. Andrews Chapel Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.3018990, -82.1641998

21. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Columbarium
Greenwood, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2028260, -82.1882320

22. Old Mulberry Creek Baptist Cemetery
Hodges, Greenwood County, USA
Coordinate: 34.3273700, -82.2302400

23. Allen Chapel AME Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1988700, -82.2595520

24. Mount Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery
Abbeville, Abbeville County, USA
Coordinate: 34.2378820, -82.3035520