Helene Joan Mcgrath

Helene Carroll McGrath entered eternal life on November 15, 2017, at the age of 89.

She was preceded in death by Quirk, her husband of 66 years; and is survived by her children, Carol (Paul) Kovach, David (Andrew Silver) and Molly (Sydney Swetnam); and her grandchildren, Brigid, Tristan and Nora Kovach and Alyssa Yabek. She will also be missed by her brother-in-law and his wife, Bob and Margaret McGrath, and many nieces and nephews, and by the dear friends she prayed and shared with for 50 years in their discussion group.

Born in Findlay, OH, Helene grew up and lived in Detroit, MI, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts at Marygrove College. She worked in advertising at Hudson's Department Stores before staying at home to raise her children.

After moving to Wyoming, OH in 1965, Helene was an active member of St. James of the Valley parish. She later received a Master's degree through the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program at the Athenaeum of Ohio. A lifelong and dedicated Catholic, Helene used her education and talents in liturgy and art for many years at St. James as well as St. Vivian's parish. She wrote book reviews for St Anthony Messenger magazine, and in 1980 illustrated a children's book called "Welcome to God's Family". Since 2013, she coordinated a weekly Mass at Evergreen Retirement Community where she and her husband lived.

Helene was dedicated to her family and her faith. She was a beautiful and creative lady with a bright smile and sense of humor, who enjoyed reading, art, and sewing, and always had a list of things to do.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday, November 27 at 10:00am at St James of the Valley Church, 411 Springfield Pike, Wyoming OH. Family will receive friends one hour prior to Mass. Private inurnment will take place at a later date at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery, OH. In place of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Magnified Giving, Attn: Roger Grein, 9940 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241; www.magnifiedgiving.org.