Helen S. Daly

Obituary of Helen S. Daly

Helen S. Daly (1941-2026)

On March 7, 2026, Helen Reed Daly passed away just as the morning sun rays were streaming through her window at Sunset House. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends in a peaceful, caring hospice. It was a gentle end for a woman who spent her life caring for her family, friends, church, and community.

Born in 1941 to Bertrand and Helen Reed, Helen had a happy childhood on Long Island. She attended Great Neck North High School, and went on to work as a bookkeeper and tax preparer. Through a friend, she met Patrick Daly, stationed at Stewart Air Force Base, who became the love of her life. They married in 1965 and went on to have two children, James and Eileen. Between 1965 and 1974, Pat and Helen moved 13 times, including losing everything during Hurricane Camille; they eventually settled permanently in Cicero, NY. The job she most enjoyed was taking care of her family and community. A loving, devoted mother and wife, she tended her family as she tended her garden: with care, thoughtfulness, and appreciation for the beauty around her. Throughout her life, Helen had an expansive definition of family, enveloping friends into her heart and home. Even to her last days, she was making new friends–and praying for them.

A deeply devout woman with a generous heart, Helen was a parishioner at Sacred Heart in Cicero, St. Matthew's in East Syracuse, and Our Lady Queen of Peace in Brighton. For many years, she ran a food pantry at Sacred Heart, led a weekly rosary group at Buckley Landing in North Syracuse, and later, during Covid, led an on-line rosary group with her friends Noreen, Phyllis, Toni, and Jane. She served on the board of Friends for Life in Syracuse.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents Bertrand and Helen Reed and her husband of 47 years, Patrick J. Daly. She is survived by her children, James Daly (Susan) and Eileen Daly-Boas (Michael); her brother, James B. Reed, and her sisters-in-law, Joan Daly and Eileen Bender. She is also survived by many dear friends, including Linda and Jim O'Connor, Eva Maria Cadavid, Helen Delargy, Mary Wilton, and the McLaughlin children, to whom she will always be "Comade Helen."

Calling hours are at Paul W. Harris Funeral Home, 570 Kings Hwy S, on March 11 from 4 pm to 7 pm. Funeral mass will be at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 601 Edgewood Ave, on March 12 at 9:30 am. A memorial service and interment in Syracuse will follow at a later date.

The family is immensely grateful to Sunset House in Irondequoit, which made Helen's final days peaceful and provided comfort and care to her family. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Sunset House or a comfort home near you.