of Hewitt, NJ, died on December 1, 2006 at St. Anthony’s Community Hospital, Warwick surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was 85 years old.
Born on April 14, 1921 in West Brighton, Staten Island, she was the daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine Sweeney. She was married for 56 years to Hollis Hall when he predeceased her in 1999.
She was a graduate of Port Richmond High School, and retired from St. Vincent’s Hospital after working there for 35 years. Upon retiring, she and her husband moved to Toms River, NJ and enjoyed 15 years of friendship and activities with many organizations. After her husband’s death, she moved to West Milford, NJ to reside next door to her granddaughter and her family. She received unending joy from her four great-grandchildren.
Helen was extremely proud of her Irish heritage, most especially shown as she walked the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Forest Avenue as the Aide to the Grand Marshall in 1984.
“Helen was the matriarch of her family. Her example of courage and strength in the face of ten long years of illness has been an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. Throughout her illness, her sense of humor never wavered. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.”
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Lindholm and her husband Ron of Barryville, NY, Geraldine Hayes and her husband Ned of Warwick; six grandchildren, Ron and Steffi Lindholm, Beth and Alan Schaeffer, Kristian Hollis Lindholm, Brendan, Patrick and Sean Hayes ; four great grandchildren: Riley and Svea Lindholm and Robby and Kevin Schaeffer; her sister, Catherine Dillon of Portsmouth, RI; her brother, Edgar Sweeney of Staten Island. She was predeceased by three brothers: Daniel (Butch), Jeremiah (Jerry) and Lawrence (Spanky) Sweeney; many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2-4 & 7-9 pm on Sunday and Monday at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11am on Tuesday at Our Lady Queen of Peace RC Church, Hewitt, NJ. Cremation will be private and her cremains will be interred with her husband at St. Anthony’s Cemetery in Eldred.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Anthony’s Community Hospital Building Fund, 15 Maple Avenue, Warwick, NY 10990 or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.