Helen B. O’Donoghue

Caledonia: November 1, 2017 at age 99. Predeceased by her husband, Gerald. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, James and Carole, Brian, Kevin and Lauren O’Donoghue; grandchildren, Michael (Beth), Jerry (Tammy), Kelley (Dave Greco), Ryan (Jodi), Tim (Maggie) O’Donoghue; 9 great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Brand; many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Sunday 4-7pm at the Alhart Funeral Home, 3068 W. Main St., Caledonia. Her Funeral Mass will be held Monday 10am at St. Martin De Porres Parrish, St. Columba Church, North St., Caledonia. Private Interment. Memorials may be made to Livingston County Catholic Charities, 34 East State St., Mt. Morris, NY 14510.

Helen was born on May 14th 1918 in Burke, NY to Walter and Mary Brand. She grew up on a farm with 9 brothers and sisters. After graduating from Utica State Hospital Nursing School in 1939, Helen worked in several different hospitals (labor and delivery) and as a home care nurse; finishing her career as a school nurse in the Huntington School District in 1984. She lived in Huntington until 2007, and moved to Caledonia to be closer to family.

Retirement did not slow Helen down. She was an Uber driver before there was Uber, driving her friends all over Long Island in her Honda Accord 5-speed. Volunteering and caring for others throughout her entire life, she cared for family members and friends when needed and delivering Meals on Wheels to “the old people” when she was in her 80s.

Helen had a very active social calendar, which included traveling the country with the Widows and Widowers, golf, bowling, going to concerts and plays in Heckscher Park, and many, many other activities. In fact, we were all thankful when she got an answering machine because she was never home.
Helen lived a very long and full life, touching so many lives and helping so many over her 99 years. She will be missed by so many. The world truly lost a shining star, but heaven is shining much brighter!