Helen Morahan

Helen was born on July 7, 1933 in Queens, New York to James and Nellie Killion. She was the younger of two daughters. She graduated from Julia Richmond High School in Manhattan, NY and was employed as a comptometer operator. Helen spent her summers at Rockaway Beach where she met the love of her life, Tom whom she married on October 18, 1952 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Astoria.

Helen and Tom moved to New City in 1963 where they raised their seven daughters.

As the family matriarch, she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. Helen’s world was her family and her life centered around the unconditional and unlimited love she had for them. Helen’s legacy will be her unlimited capacity to love, her dedication to family, her selflessness, wisdom and the great strength she showed through unbearable sorrows. She will remain a powerful influence in each of their lives and will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew and loved her.

Helen was parishioner and active member of St. Augustine’s Church, and former President of the Catholic Big Sisters. She was a member of the Rockland County Republican Committee for over 45 years.

Helen shared her married life with her loving husband Thomas Morahan until his death in 2010. She is survived by her daughters and son’s-in-law, Margaret (James) Casola of Ledgewood, NJ, Helen (William) Travers of Pomona, Maureen (Joseph) Pehush of Thiells, Joan (Joseph) Silvestri of Pomona, Nancy (Michael) Shine of Pearl River, Eileen (Charles) Barker of New City. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, Samantha, Matthew (Emily) and Allison Scarpulla; Lauren, Emily and Brittany Casola; Katie Travers; Kerri (Alexander) Santulli; Ryan (Christina) Pehush; Kristin (Bryan) Sharples; Joseph, Casey and Amanda Silvestri; Kelly and Michael Shine and Thomas and Christopher Barker. Five Great Grandchildren, Adrienne and Cameron Pehush; Theresa and Savannah Santulli and Emerson Sharples. Sister- in Law Sister Marie Joseph and nieces, Patricia Rauh and Carol Satriani

She is predeceased by her husband, Thomas, her daughter Theresa Morahan Simmons, granddaughter Mary Margaret Shine and sister Joan Kelly.

The family will receive relatives and friends at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home, 321 South Main Street, New City, on Wednesday, January 25th from 7-9 P.M. and Thursday, January 26th 2-4 and 7-9 P.M.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday January 27th at St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church, 140 Maple Ave., New City at 10:30 A.M. Interment will follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet, NY.

Those wishing to remember Helen in a special way may send contributions to STDC, The Center for Discovery, P.O. Box 840, Harris, NY 12742.