Obituary of HELEN SHANLEY

Ms. Helen Shanley, 80, passed peacefully away on Saturday morning, Jan. 9, 2021 at her home in the Lake Hiawatha section of Parsippany. Born in Orange and raised in NEwark, Ms. Shanley entered the Convent of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity in Philadelphia, PA where she was known as Sister Patrick Mary. She left the Convent after 13 years. She had lived in Nutley, NJ before coming to Lake Hiawatha 35 years ago. She earned her Bachelors Degree from Boston College, and Masters Degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University. Ms. Shanley later worked as a social worker with the Montville Board of Education for over 30 years, and in the same capacity with Inglemoor Nursing Home in Livingston before her retirement. An active member of St. Peter the Apostle Church, Helen was a volunteer with the parish's Food Pantry and volunteered evenings at the rectory answering phones. Preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen (Brannigan) Shanley; and her brother, James Brannigan, she is survived by her siblings, Kathleen Piegaro (Nicholas) of Caldwell, NJ, Patrick R. Brannigan (MaryAnn) of Pennington, NJ, Edward R. Brannigan (Maureen) of Edgewater, FL, and Annie Saskowitz (Charles) of Denville, NJ; a sister-in-law, Sara Brannigan of Murrels Inlet, SC; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to St. Peter's Food Pantry, 179 Baldwin Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. To watch the live streaming of the Funeral Mass, please go to the parish website at the commencement of the Mass: [HTTP://SAINTPETERTHEAPOSTLE.ORG] A Celebration of Helen's Life and Repast will be scheduled in the future when it is safe to gather.