Obituary of Helen A. McCord

"Brimfield – Helen “Nan” (Davidson) McCord, 80, of Warren Rd., died Tuesday August 16, 2005. Born in Greensburg, Indiana on June 23, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Helen (Groehl) Davidson. Helen was raised in Brooklyn and lived in New York most of her life, summering in Monterey, MA. She graduated with a degree in Political Science from Vassar College. While in college she met a GI who served in WWII, William J. McCord to whom she was married for 47 years. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Greene County Historical Society, as well as a charter member of the Conservative Party, all in New York. Professionally, she worked as a teacher, a caseworker in both child welfare and legal aid, and as a probation officer. She also gave her time as a Methodist lay-speaker and hospice volunteer. Mrs. McCord enjoyed researching family history, her conservative politics, collecting books and antiquarian postcards. She also loved dogs especially Cathy Beagle who was her companion to the end. She enjoyed traveling to different countries such as Israel, Great Britain and Russia. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband who died in 1994. She is survived by a daughter Barbara Shaffer and her husband Dennis of Brimfield, two sons Edson R. McCord and his wife Anne of Decatur, IL and Douglas H. McCord and his wife Cyd of Exton, PA. She also leaves seven grandchildren, Lindy and Andrew McCord of Exton, PA, Jason McCord of Decatur, IL, Arlah (Shaffer) Canchola of Downey, CA, Aaron (Shaffer) Deck of Friendship, NY, Colby Shaffer of Norwalk, CA and Daniel Shaffer of Day, NY, and four great grandchildren. A memorial service will be Saturday, September 24, 2005 at 10:30am the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, Palmer, MA. A calling hour will precede the service from 9:30-10:30 am. Burial will be private at Corashire Cemetery in Monterey, MA. Donations may be made in her memory to VNA & Hospice at Coes Pond, 10 Judith Rd., Worcester, MA 01602. "