Photo courtesy of Reed & Benoit Funeral Home Inc. - Watertown
May 6, 1938 - Jan 11, 2023
So sorry to hear of Helen's passing. I worked with her at Steinbach around the early '90s, one of my first jobs out of high school.
Nicole (Rogers) Shaw
January 20, 2023 | Brownville, NY | Coworker
I am so very sorry to see of Helen’s passing. I have very fond memories of her and our time together at Howland/Steinbach as coworkers. She was fun to be around and made work easier❤
Kim Foss
January 18, 2023 | Brownville | Coworker
She was a very giving person. Always very generous to the whole Jones clan. Whenever there was a family event, you could be sure she applied her ample cooking skills. Susie and Dale, I want you to know your mother was appreciated.
Stephen Jones
January 18, 2023 | Shapleigh, ME | Friend
Aden, sorry for you loss. Mo
Mo Cleaver
January 17, 2023 | Watertown, NY | Coworker
Sending our condolences to everyone, Sue thinking of you daily , and Dale . Remember the great memories of your mom and hold them close to your heart . Sending a lot of hugs
Kelly Kirkland
January 16, 2023 | Theresa, NY | Friend
Helen is second from the left. Many of the family at the last reunion
So many memories go all the way back to when I was a little boy. I will always remember Helen with all my aunts, and my mother sitting at the kitchen table, drinking ridiculous amounts of coffee, talking about everything and nothing much at all. Telling stories until the wee hours of the evening. Rest in peace.
Mike Joyner
January 16, 2023 | McGraw, NY | Family
Helen L. McWayne, 84, Watertown, passed away Wednesday, January 11th surrounded by her loving family at Hospice of Jefferson County.
Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00pm at St. Patrick’s Church on Saturday, January 21st. A calling hour will be held from 10:30am – 11:30am prior to the mass at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home, Watertown. Following the service, a reception will be held at the Brownville Legion.
Helen was born on May 6, 1938, the daughter to the late Frank and Dorothy Bass McCoy. She was a 1955 graduate of Alexandria Central High School. Helen and her husband Aden eloped to Norfolk, Va. and were married on October 23, 1961.
Following graduation, she moved to Rochester and worked for New York Telephone Company and soon relocated back to Alexandria Bay to continue working for the telephone company. Helen eventually moved to Watertown and worked for several years as a waitress for Howard’s Restaurant, in the fabric department at Weston’s and was well known for working in the women’s clothing department at Howland’s and Steinbach department stores.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Aden, Watertown; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Dale Jones, Watertown; granddaughters, Leah Jones Merchant, Jessica Marie Steele, great-grandchildren, Reagan Merchant, Brady Merchant, Fiora Ackley, Avaya Ackley, 2 brothers, David (Joyce) McCoy, Neil McCoy, and sister Esther Serafine. Also surviving are 3 brothers-in-law, Frederick McWayne, Edward (Cindy) McWayne, Bean McWayne, godson Edward McWayne, Jr., niece, Kim Joyner who devoted many hours helping with Syracuse doctor appointments. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended families, The Jones, and Merchants.
Helen was also survived by a son she never had, Matthew Lawrence, “Our boy forever” he was a total joy to have in our lives along with his 2 sisters, Danielle, and Lyndsay.
Besides her parents she was predeceased by her stepfather, John Makepeace, 2 brothers, Francis and Paul McCoy, 2 sisters, Joan Boring, Mary Joyner and her in-laws, Glenn and Ruth McWayne and Kenny and Robert McWayne Sr.
Helen loved to cook, (cooking for Dale and his coworkers over the years) gardening, reading, playing cards and enjoyed a nice cup of tea. She looked forward to the time she got to spend with her great-grandchildren, babysitting and attending all their events. Helen loved to go for rides with Aden and stop along the way for ice cream. But most of all she was proud of her Irish Heritage and would wear green when she could and speak and teach of her Irish Heritage.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Online condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com
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