Helen grew up in Charlestown, went to St Francis de Sales Grammar school, swam on the swim team, was a long-time member of the Girls' Club and had a fantastic neighborhood on Pearl Street.

After graduating from Girls' Latin School, she moved to New York City, spent a few months in Dublin  and ultimately moved to Los Angeles, where she lived for almost 30 years. After graduating from Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles, she became an English teacher and a writer. Now she's back in her hometown and thrilled to be contributing to Charlestown Patch. For her linked-in profile go to: http://www.linkedin.com/in/helenoneil2010.