Obituary of Helen Kelly

Helen Kelly of Greenwood Lake, a longtime resident of the area, died on January 15, 2013 in Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. She was 95. The daughter of the late Morris and Florence Cohen Oken she was born in Manhattan, N.Y. on October 17, 1917. Helen was the widow of William D. Kelly. She was very active in the Greenwood Lake Community. She was a past Trustee of the Village of Greenwood Lake and was Deputy Mayor. She was a member of the Greenwood Lake Elks and former Elk of the year and Trustee. She was a member and past president of the Greenwood Lake Lions Club. In 1989 she was named N.Y. State Elk "Mother of the Year". She was a member of the Gaelic Cultural Society and was a former Celt of the year. She was named by the N.Y.S. Senate a Woman of Distinction. She was a Town of Warwick Republican Committee member and was named Republican of the Year. She was an honorary life member of the Orange County Shields and the Greenwood Lake Volunteer Ambulance Corp. The playground in Greenwood Lake was named the " Helen Kelly Playground." She was a past member and past president of the Greenwood Lake School Board. Survivors include her sons William Kelly Jr. of Greenwood Lake and Stephen Kelly of the Town of Warwick. Her daughters Barbara Sheiffele and her husband James of Conn. and Mary Jane Burton and her husband Randy of Virginia. Her sister Harriet Gaige of PA. She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Julia and her son John and her brother Daniel. Visitation hours will be held on Thursday January 17 from 7-9 P.M. and Friday January 18 from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. at the Strong Basile Funeral Home 4 Oak St. Greenwood Lake, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday January 19 at 10 A.M. in Holy Rosary Church in Greenwood Lake. Burial will be in St. Stephen's Cemetery Warwick, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greenwood Lake Volunteer Ambulance Corp.