Helen Catherine Mccleary

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, Helen Catherine (McAndrews) McCleary, of Pamlico County NC, loving wife and mother of three daughters, passed away at age 84.

Helen was born on May 26, 1940 in Central City, Somerset County, Pennsylvania to George Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Jacob) McAndrews.

On July 1, 1959 she married childhood sweetheart Farrell Newton McCleary. They raised three daughters, Karen Ann, Theresa Marie, and Christina Lynne.

As a young woman in Johnstown, PA, Helen made many memories with her many friends at Wagon Wheels dance hall, Farrel loved to dance. Growing up Helen was always referred to as Honey Girl.

She worked hard alongside her husband to support their young family as a waitress in the hospitality and food industries. Together they eventually settled in South Plainfield, NJ, where they lived for over 50 years. They eventually moved from NJ to a cute and friendly little neighborhood in Pamlico County, NC to be closer to family.

Helen was generous with her love, and never went anywhere empty handed. She cooked many fantastic family meals, including her stuffed cabbage, otherwise known as “pigs in a blanket” and a carrot cake, like no other! On holidays she always came with gifts and food, and lots of it. She made great banana bread loaves and her famous bacon wrapped water chestnuts! While the recipes may live on, they will never be the same.

She could also frequently be found at Bingo with her husband Farrell and a purse full of Jordan Almonds and other candies. A cup of hot tea while reading a book or completing a crossword puzzle rounded out most of her days.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Farrell, October 16th, 2021, and siblings Elizabeth Noon (Theodore), Anna Ott (Roy), Richard McAndrews, and Loretta Homway (Edward). She is survived by her three children, Karen Richard (Russell), Theresa Burgher (Lincoln), and Christina McCleary, her sister-in-laws Darlene Vance (Richard), Judith McCleary, Patricia McCleary (Robert), and Elizabeth Horvath (Richard); grandchildren, Cortney Allen, Jason Devine (Jo), Jeffrey Devine (Ariel), Tara Feldman (Jon), and Cedar Thorn; great grandchildren Kai, Jizyah, Hunter, and Jett; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.