Helen Barakat

Beloved wife, devoted mother, loving grandmother, and loyal friend, Helen Maria Barakat passed away peacefully on May25, 2022 at the age of 72, in her North Carolina home. After a courageous battle with cancer, Helen was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives filled with love, humor, and family.

Helen was born to Betty and Richard Matelli on August 29th, 1949. She grew up playing in the streets of Bayside, New York with her two sisters and long-standing friends. After graduating from high school, Helen did some traveling. She returned home and eventually started working at Flushing Hospital, where she met the love of her life, Peter. They spent their dating years camping with friends and family and attending many gatherings. Helen developed a love for camping and was always the most prepared.

Helen and Peter began their family together. They then moved to Saudi Arabia, where they raised their two young girls, and welcomed their only son into the world. Her life in Saudi Arabia was filled with motherhood, friends, crafting, tennis, baking, and the best homemade beer.

Returning to the states, Helen and family joined her mother in sunny Florida. She went on to pursue many professional aspirations. Some of which included: bank teller, Starbucks manager, realtor, and Pampered Chef consultant, just to name a few. She developed many new friendships and always had a house full of people. No party ever had enough food or drink.

A new chapter unfolded when she got to witness the birth of her two grandsons. The love for her grandsons was undeniable. Their "Yaya" never missed a birthday and gave them the most wonderful memories of baking, crafting, swimming, and cuddling. After 30+ years in Florida, Helen and her family moved to North Carolina, where she fulfilled her final year of life as a wife, mother, and Yaya.

Family life personified Helen. To her, family wasn't just those related to her; family was the friends she made, her children's friends, and her furry four-legged children. Her door was always open to anyone who needed a meal, a bed, a pool, a laugh, or just a hug.

Helen is survived by her husband, Peter; her children, Danielle, Jessica, and Peter Junior; her grandchildren, David and Connor; her sister, Nanette; and numerous extended family members.

A memorial service is scheduled for 12 p.m. on June 4th, 2022, at the McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton, North Carolina. There will also be a livestream of her service on the McLaurin Facebook page for those who would like to support her family from afar. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Heartland Hospice and the American Cancer Society in her honor.