Helen Dunphy Mcdonagh

Helen Dunphy McDonagh, of Perkasie, entered into eternity, on Tuesday, October 2, 2012.

She was born January 1, 1922, in New York City, the daughter of Irish immigrant parents.

Helen embodied many of the qualities the Irish are known for. An avid storyteller and lover of people, she held court at family parties imitating her father’s brogue and gathering people to her with her humor, compassion, and charisma. She was an ardent tea drinker, a skillful dancer, a passionate Democrat, and a woman with a mind of her own.

Helen’s greatest joy lay in being a nurturing mother to her four children: Joe Jr., Doreen, David, and Kara. She was fiercely protective, loyal, generous and unconditionally loving.

She delighted in the company of her children and their spouses: Maureen, Nate, and Penny; and her grandchildren: Michael, Amanda and Chloe McDonagh and Erica, Elizabeth, Brooke and Miles Crockett. Life blessed her with a great grandson, Dominion Wise Johnson, born in May. She enriched many lives as a friend, confidante and advisor and held her nieces and nephews precious.

Helen took pride in her financial management skills and in her service as Treasurer of Wrightstown Township, years of work with WM Dalton, and her volunteer service at Grand View Hospital and as an ombudsman for the Area Agency on Aging. She was also a Friend of Lois and a member of St. Agnes Church, Sellersville.

Her legacy can be found in the many endearing qualities she instilled in those who loved her: a sharp business sense, an abiding commitment to family, a quick wit, an unwavering alliance with the underdog, an open mind, a forgiving heart, the ability to change course, and a warrior’s spirit.

Helen fought a valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease the last decade of her life and inspired those who had the honor to assist her with her grace, humor, determination and good manners. Her family will be forever grateful to those skilled and loving caregivers who brightened her final years.

She is the last of her large clan of siblings to leave this earth. She will be welcomed into eternity by her late husband, Joseph McDonagh Sr., who loved her beyond measure, and her dear siblings: Catherine, Jimmy, Danny, Joe, Maggie, Jack, Cookie, Eddie, Betty and Peggy, along with her beloved in- law friends, Lillian and Frank.

Mrs. McDonagh is survived by her children and their families and a sister in law, Mary (Dunphy) Ryan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 8, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 445 North Main St., Sellersville. Family and friends may call from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, in the Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, 87 North Main Street, Sellersville.

Interment will be in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Hilltown.

If desired, memorial donations in Helen’s name may be made to the Children’s Aid Society, 105 East 22nd Street, Room 504, New York, NY 10010-5413.