Obituary of Helen McNeeley

Helen McNeely was born on March 2, 1926 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The only child to the late Etherine Santiago. She was affectionately known as "Nana" to family and friends. At 6 weeks old Helen moved to Harlem, NY where she was educated in private Catholic school. She accepted Christ into her life at an early age and remained active in the Catholic church. Upon adulthood she relocated to Long Island, New York as she knew it afforded a better family life. Helen birthed eight children, adopted three, and raised many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving Mother that believed in strong discipline. She shared a special connection with each of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She had a unique way of making all of them feel special and loved. Her family meant everything to her and she was the epitome of hard work and dedication. She always made you feel that no matter what you were experiencing everything was going to be alright. Helen loved music, playing cards, and she was a fantastic dancer. She was a great cook and loved feeding people. Helen's heart was so huge, she enjoyed being a blessing to others and always offered to help in any way she could. She was a pillar in the community, and her door was always open to anyone who needed anything. Helen worked as a Nursing Assistant at Holly Patterson and Island Nursing. She also held several positions in the community working with youth and after school programs. She had a heart for children, always promoting their social growth. Helen relocated to Georgia in 1996 where she lived with her granddaughter Sha-Kim and great-grandsons Sha-Qwan and Deondre. They were inseparable and shared a very special bond. Helen peacefully departed this life on Saturday, May 21, 2016. Helen was preceded in death by her children Geraldine, Richard, Paula and her husband Howard. She leaves to cherish her beautiful legacy and mourn her passing, her children Aron, Michelle, Bruce, Pamela (Steven), and Howard (Marsha), Bruce, Deon, and Manuel; nineteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; eighteen great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her beloved Maltese Shun.