Helen Alicia Leary
May 2, 1933 ~ July 20, 2024
Born in:
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Resided in:
Union City, California
Helen Alicia (Greaney) Leary peacefully passed away on July 20, 2024, in Union City, California where she was a long-time resident.
She was born May 2,1933 in Newburyport, Massachusetts. She was the second child born to Henry and Frances Greaney. Her family moved to California in 1945 when she was 12 years old, and during the train ride from Massachusetts to California she helped her mom, older sister Emilie (Mickie) and younger brother Bob, keep an eye on her four other siblings Pat, Mike, Richard and Karen. Her youngest sister, Kathi would be born in California, making Helen the 2nd oldest of 8 children.
Helen married Arvid Leary in 1955, and welcomed their four daughters Katharine, Kristin, Kim and Karrol. The family moved from Oakland to Union City in 1968, where Helen has resided ever since. Her husband, Arvid preceded her in death in 2001.
She retired early from Met Life Insurance, after working there for over 40 years. She loved cats, taking photographs, collecting mugs, traveling, musicals and live theater, and was a wizard at crossword puzzles, trivia games and Scrabble.
After retirement, for awhile she joined a Taiko drumming group in Union City and enjoyed meeting her brother Bob, sister-in-law Edith, sister Pat and brother-in-law Denny for lunch at Baldies every week
Above all she loved her large extended family, her parents, siblings, in-laws, daughters, cousins, her many, many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and getting together with them for any reason. She has truly been the best mom ever, and she will be deeply missed by all who loved her.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Helen’s name to the charity of your choice. Some of her favorite charities include St. Jude’s, Alameda County Food Bank, Cat Town of Oakland and the Alzheimer’s Association.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be forthcoming.
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Little Aunt Helen. You will be missed ❤️❤️
Dear Mom,
How do you say goodbye to the most important person in your life? The last few years of your life were not what you wanted for yourself. I choose to remember the vibrant, witty, loving Mom that you were.
I will miss you forever but am glad you are free from the disease that took your mind and body.
I love you Mommy!
Love,
Kris
Sending love to all the Leary ladies.
Kitty, Kris, Kim and Karrol – I didn’t know either of your parents well, but I saw your mom a few times in the many years that Karrol and I have been friends. It was clear to me where your wit and your intelligence came from. With much love, Galila
Aunt Helen will be so greatly missed! Sending all my love to Kitty, Kris, Kim, and Karrol.
My darling mother, Helen:
I will miss you every day for the remainder of my years.
I always admired your intelligence, wit and loving spirit.
I moved back into the family home in 1999, ostensibly for a year or two. But after Dad’s passing, you didn’t want to live alone, so I remained.
You and I got along wonderfully, and had many great conversations over the years.
I loved spoiling you, because you deserved to be spoiled.
Every time I went to Target or the grocery store, I’d come back and say, “Helen-Pooh, I have a present for you!”
And you’d respond “Ooh, what is it?”
It could be something as simple as a pair of socks, cute pencils, a Hagen Dazs ice cream bar, or your favorite, a family size bag of Oreos.
You were always appreciative.
I will miss you every minute of every day.
I love you, Mommy! ❤️
Your loving daughter,
Katharine
Sending love to Kitty, Kris, Kim and Karol.
Having four sisters you always think that they will always be there. Then the years quickly pass by and your lives take you in different directions,and you may not see them very often but you always knew they would be there, then the day comes and they are gone and it’s hard to accept. Your heart grieves for them, but your brain tells you God said it was time to end her pain and suffering and take her to heaven. My sister Helen will be joining her brother Bob, sister Mickie, sister Kathi. I love you all and miss you.
The only Aunt I ever caught in day to day life outside of Family events. Loved and will be missed.
We were deeply saddened to hear about Mrs. Leary’s passing. She was a wonderful neighbor and kind presence in our lives. We will always remember her friendly smile and cheerful greetings. Our heartfelt condolences to Kitty, Kris, Kim, and Karrol. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The Torres Family
Julie, Raul, Leticia and Cristina