Obituary of Helen C. Daly

Helen Mary Elizabeth Costello Daly passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with chronic respiratory disease on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center. She had shared 77 years of unconditional love, priceless memories, and contagious laughter with family and friends.

Born and raised in New Rochelle, NY to the late Cornelius and Jane Costello, she was one of two children to bless the Costello household. After graduating from St. Gabriel’s High School, Class of 1960, she graduated from Claremont Secretarial School in NYC.  This launched her into her first career with Trans World Airlines where Helen successfully worked her way up to Senior Benefits Supervisor before retiring after 25 years of service. Her next career was with Guardian Life Insurance Company in Manhattan in which she dedicated another 25 years of service, retiring officially in 2010 as their Director of Corporate Benefits. A committed student of life and knowledge, Helen took adult education classes in History at New York University. She married Dennis Francis Daly on February 24, 1968; he blessed her with a daughter whom she raised in New Rochelle, NY. A devout Catholic, she was an active member of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in New Rochelle. A lifelong New Rochelle resident, Helen moved to NJ in 2018 to be closer to her daughter and grandson and settled into the Fox Briar section of Rockaway. She quickly became a member of St. Mary’s Church in Denville and found a new church family that welcomed her with open arms. Every Sunday after Mass, her and her friends would chat for a while in the narthex and she became a vital member of their Prayer Shawl Ministry. 

It is impossible to put into words the generous and compassionate woman that she was. Always making the best out of every situation, Helen truly made delicious lemonade out of sour lemons. This breast cancer survivor is our hero, mother, “Gamma”, sister, best friend, and confidant. She was excellent at knitting and making all kinds of crafts, her most recent hobby was making dollhouses. Helen was a true “City Gal” who took great pleasure in walking the streets of the Big Apple and saw many Broadway shows. A perennial traveler, she relished every moment spent in Rome, Paris, Cape May, Florida, and especially enjoyed her trips to Long Island Sound and Glen Island Park where she was able to talk long walks along the shoreline. Being by the water was definitely her happy place, so be sure to say hi to her the next time you find yourself staring into the mesmerizing water with your toes in sand, knowing she is shining down sharing the beautiful view with you from her heavenly vantage point. Above anything else, her family was her pride and joy. Although we are deeply saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is out of pain and reunited with her parents.

She leaves only joyful memories to her adored daughter and son-in-law, Kellie Daly Siino and Anthony Siino; her treasured grandson, Kyle Siino; her cherished sister, Nancy Costello and her husband Victor Stamboulian; and many more extended family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 20^th at 10 am at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in New Rochelle, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family on Sunday, July 19^th from 2 – 5 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Due to current restrictions on allowable numbers inside the funeral home, it is requested that those attending the visitation be courteous by limiting their time inside in order to allow others the opportunity to pay their respects as well. Memorial Donations in Helen’s name are being accepted by way of www.inmemof.org to the Humane Society or Best Friends Animal Society, two organizations near and dear to heart as she was devoted to her many cats throughout the years. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Helen here to continue to celebrate the amazing life she endowed with us.