Obituary of Helena Gallagher Rees

Helens G. Rees, of the Savin Hill Neighborhood in Dorchester, MA, died on Saturday February 29, 2008, after a tenacious, incredible and courageous battle with lung cancer, which she fought with dignity and grace. Born on June 27, 1957, and raised in Trenton and Lawrenceville, she attended the New England Scholl of Photography, Boston College and graduated from Harvard University. For many years she was a lobbyist on women's and children's issues, as well as a fundraiser for political candidates. In the early 1980's she worked as a legislative agent for the Massachusetts National Organization for Women, pioneering legislation concerning violence against women and children. In the 1990's, she was the Director of Government and Community Affairs, where she created many public service programs for Cambridge residents. Also in the 1990's, she was Assistant Director of Campaign Finance for the late Congressman, Joe Moakley. Prior to her death, she was a fundraiser for Attorney General Martha Coakley, then a candidate for the Attorney Generals office, where she successfully assisted in helping to raise over $700,000 dollars. Helena was an avid tennis fan and player, and was a member of the Boston Athletic Club (BAC) in South Boston, where she battled with the ball machine. ""The ball machine never misses a ball, and never talks back"", she was fond of saying. This past June, she fulfilled her dream of attending Wimbledon, where she watched all the top tennis players play on the lush green grass. ""Wimbledon is magical; it is mystical. It almost speaks to you"", said Helena. Helena is survived by her beloved parents, Albert H. Rees Jr. of Lawrenceville and her mother, Maybelle Rees, also of Lawrenceville, her loving twin sister, Maria Meseroll of Falls Township, PA, and her brother-in-law, Thomas Meseroll of Langhorne, PA. She was 'Auntie Helena"" to her nieces and nephew, whom she loved and adored: Mark, Lisa and Kristen Meseroll, all of Langhorne, PA, and by her loving and supportive cousins: Pat Mills and Pam Jerold, of Miami, FL. She is also survived by her aunt, Nancy Rees of Stonington, CT, and cousins: Liberty Rees and Nancy Wall of New York, NY, Camilla Rees of Boulder, CO, Hilleary Coleman of Bedford, NY, Jane Mason of Palm Beach, FL, Gail Foster of Hamilton, NJ, Glenda Matera of Ewing, NJ, Jennifer Pederson of Lambertville, NJ and her aunt, Bunny Rees of New Hope, PA. Helena was predeceased by her sweet and sassy Basset Hound, Hershey, as well as Beaver, also a Basset whom she cared for in his later years as ""Nanny"" or ""Auntie Helena"". She is looking forward to seeing them in ""Hound Heaven"". Helena thanks her special friends, whom she was fortunate to have in her life: Margaret Schumann, Cathy Loomis, Tony Cappoli, Catherine O'Neill, Lisa Coffey, David Jennings, Lori Dolliver, Jean Frisoli, Susan Beecher, Ken Osherow, proprietor of At Home Real Estate in Savin Hill, and their staff for their kindness and compassion. Helena thanks the wonderful staff at the Dana Farber, who provided the best care in the world. She especially thanks Paul Marcoux, MD, Kitty Hooper, Pam Calerese, Linda Morse, Patricia Sheehan, Carol Wilson, Rick Berry, ""Ivannia Boo-Boo"", and Andrea Nei. Indeed, they are the unsung heros Friends may call on Friday from 10 AM to Noon at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, Burial will be in the Ewing Cemetery. Helena requests there be no flowers and asks that memorial contributions be made in her name to The Lung Care Alliance, 888 16th Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC, 2006. Phone: 800-298-2436.