1918
Mrs.
2016
Mrs. Helen Harris
May 3, 1918 — July 15, 2016
Born Helen M. O'Neill on Saturday, May 3 in 1918, Helen Harris was still as vivacious as ever when she passed away last week at the age of 98. Helen embraced life with all its moments, the happy and sad. Helen always remembered people and times past. Yet she wasn't afraid to change with the times, having over 120 friends on Facebook.
Helen graduated from St. Francis Commerical School. Her first job was at Kugler's restaurant at 15th and Chestnut in Philadelphia. Helen was proud of her O'Neill family history, most notably their sacrifices in military service to the country. She was the last surviving of 11 siblings. Helen married the late John P. Harris in 1939. Together, they had 4 children- two sons, John P. Jr. and James; two daughters, Patricia Cavaliere and Helen Moffa.
Helen's life story is linked to the history of Philadelphia. She and her daughter Helen were the first women to drive on the Walt Whitman Bridge, even before it was open to the public. Helen's husband John was an ironworker. He began taking photographs during the construction of the Walt Whitman Bridge. Soon, this hobby turned into their life's work and they opened a family photography business in which Helen did everything except take the photographs. One of her talents was hand coloring photographs, something she could do with great skill even in her late 90s. Some of her fondest memories of the photo business were of photographing the annual Mummer's Show of Shows.
Helen was an energetic woman with many interests. The redheaded Irish American never missed a St. Patrick's day celebration. She liked to share sweets with loved ones and made an amazing chocolate cake. Any sweetness one might expect from a grandmother melted away during a game of Canasta or Scrabble. She kept up on politics, current events, and "her story" (Days of Our Lives). She loved music and dancing. Helen loved the Jersey shore. This June, she celebrated another family reunion with over 60 relatives at 14th Street, Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island.
It is impossible to count Helen's surviving nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren because she constantly welcomed new people into her "family." She will be loved forever as Grandmom, Gramom, Grammom, Grandma Harris, Gmom, Gram, Auntie, Aunt Helen, Mrs. Helen's mom, Mrs. Harris, GG, Gigimom, a second mom, and a best friend. She signed her many birthday and holiday cards with "love always, Grandmom." Grandmom encouraged her family to achieve many of life's milestones, even if it meant chiding a loved one to get married/graduate/have babies while she was still alive. We always did our best to do as she wished.Helen was known for sharing treasured stories and photographs. Through these, her deep love for family and friends was evident. Now she will be welcomed into her spiritual home by those who went before her and whose memories she kept alive.
St. Laurence Church
8245 West Chester Pike Upper Darby 19082, United States
Helen graduated from St. Francis Commerical School. Her first job was at Kugler's restaurant at 15th and Chestnut in Philadelphia. Helen was proud of her O'Neill family history, most notably their sacrifices in military service to the country. She was the last surviving of 11 siblings. Helen married the late John P. Harris in 1939. Together, they had 4 children- two sons, John P. Jr. and James; two daughters, Patricia Cavaliere and Helen Moffa.
Helen's life story is linked to the history of Philadelphia. She and her daughter Helen were the first women to drive on the Walt Whitman Bridge, even before it was open to the public. Helen's husband John was an ironworker. He began taking photographs during the construction of the Walt Whitman Bridge. Soon, this hobby turned into their life's work and they opened a family photography business in which Helen did everything except take the photographs. One of her talents was hand coloring photographs, something she could do with great skill even in her late 90s. Some of her fondest memories of the photo business were of photographing the annual Mummer's Show of Shows.
Helen was an energetic woman with many interests. The redheaded Irish American never missed a St. Patrick's day celebration. She liked to share sweets with loved ones and made an amazing chocolate cake. Any sweetness one might expect from a grandmother melted away during a game of Canasta or Scrabble. She kept up on politics, current events, and "her story" (Days of Our Lives). She loved music and dancing. Helen loved the Jersey shore. This June, she celebrated another family reunion with over 60 relatives at 14th Street, Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island.
It is impossible to count Helen's surviving nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren because she constantly welcomed new people into her "family." She will be loved forever as Grandmom, Gramom, Grammom, Grandma Harris, Gmom, Gram, Auntie, Aunt Helen, Mrs. Helen's mom, Mrs. Harris, GG, Gigimom, a second mom, and a best friend. She signed her many birthday and holiday cards with "love always, Grandmom." Grandmom encouraged her family to achieve many of life's milestones, even if it meant chiding a loved one to get married/graduate/have babies while she was still alive. We always did our best to do as she wished.Helen was known for sharing treasured stories and photographs. Through these, her deep love for family and friends was evident. Now she will be welcomed into her spiritual home by those who went before her and whose memories she kept alive.
Visitation
Wednesday, July 20, 2016 9:30 AM - 10:45 AMSt. Laurence Church
8245 West Chester Pike Upper Darby 19082, United States
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mrs. Helen Harris, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
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