HELEN BERNADETTE DORAN McRAE

Helen Doran, the 10th child, 6th daughter, of David Daniel and Sarah Jane Pickard Doran, was born on January 26, 1911 in DuBois, PA, probably at 112 1/2 Evergreen St. Her baptismal godparents were Tom Allen and Margaret Caulfield. In the 1915? Doran family picture, Helen is third from the right; in the 1917? Doran family photograph she is on the extreme right, with a bow on her head.

Helen attended St. Canice [school] in DuBois for one year; St. Paul's Cathedral School, Pittsburgh for 9 years; and the Business Institute in Detroit, MI for one year. In Pittsburgh the Doran family lived at 224 Chalfont St. before moving to 5518 Howe St., Shadyside, in May 1919.

Helen had a temporary clerical/secretarial job at the University of Pittsburgh then worked at thePeoples Pittsburgh Trust Co., South Side for 8 years.

Across Howe Street, at 5503, lived the McRae family. The McRae's had emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland first to Canandaigua, NY then to Pittsburgh. Their oldest son, Douglas James McRae (9/3/1903-9/9/1990), caught Helen Doran's eye. They were married at St. Paul's Cathedral Rectory, Pittsburgh, PA on June 29, 1940 with Helen's siblings, Sara Doran Reno, matron of honor and Bill Doran, best man. For 5 years Doug & Helen lived in an apartment in the 5700 block of Howe St. Then Doug'sclerical railroad work moved them to Kittanning, PA.

Doug worked for the Pennsylvania Railroadfor 27 years, in Pgh, then was employed by the Pittsburgh and Shawmut Railroad for 16 years. In Kittanning, PA they lived for 16 years at 127 Hazel St. before moving to what they affectionately called, "Crudley Hall" at 180 Summit Ave.

Helen, known as "Butch", worked tirelessly as a Girl Scout Leader in Kittanning for many years. She also served a 2 year term as President of the Kittanning Girl Scout Council. In her photo album there are many snapshots of the scouts' newly opened swimming pool (icy spring-fed) at Camp Chalet. Helen and Doug had no children but they did have a succession of beloved dogs. The dogs, Chauncey & Fraser, were always included with DJ the canary on the family Xmas cards.

Helen Doran was imp-like, a prankster, full of fun in her younger years. She always managed to tell the punch line before finishing any joke. She and Doug loved to visit my parents (Jean Doran & Robert Wm. Halli) in Baltimore and go hit all the beer joints. The Halli's choice, Peabody's Book Shop,was a disappointment at first until pipe smoking Doug discovered the bar amidst the books.

Helen was a member of St. Paul's Cathedral (Pgh.) from 1918-1994, but she also attended St. Mary's in Kittanning; Doug converted to Catholicism late in life. Following Doug's death, Helen became more and more reclusive. Helen died in a Kittanning nursing home on July 14, 1997 and is buried with her beloved husband in Lawn Haven Memorial Cemetery, Kittanning, PA.