Helen See O’Reilly

Helen was born on November 5, 1922 in a small lumber town in Masten PA (Lycoming County) to the late Merle Bentley See and Ruth Robbins Anders See.

Helen was married to John J. O’Reilly Jr who passed away in 1986.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Shattuck (and Chester Jr.), sister Norma Fitzsimmons (and J.William Jr. MD), brother Harley See (and Viola), half brother, Staff Sgt John Anders (who died in the Philippines as a POW of the Japanese during WW2), nephew Tom Fitzsimmons, niece Nancy Fitzsimmons, step daughter Rita Bautch and great grandson, 4.5 month old Ryder Wilkie.

Helen lived in Youngsville PA for more than 50 yrs. She graduated from Youngsville High and Jamestown NY Business College, after which she worked in a defense plant during WW2. For many years, as a young adult, she was selfemployed, having built, coowned and managed the Circle BBQ, Edgewood Court Motel and Discount Drug Store, all located in Youngsville. She was a 40 yr active member of the Business and Professional Womens Club, which raised scholarship money for young women. She was an Episcopalian by faith and for many years was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi church in Youngsville. In midlife, she returned to school and graduated from Heald Business College in Walnut Creek, California. She then moved to Florida to be with family and became employed at PrattWhitney in West Palm Beach Fl. as an executive secretary in Plant Engineering. After she retired in 1988, she worked for 7 years as a volunteer fund raiser for the ARC in Palm Beach County and received many awards for those efforts. In 1995, she moved from N. Palm Beach to Waynesville in the Great Smokey Mtns where she enjoyed the beautiful scenery. She also enjoyed reading, knitting, playing Bingo and watching football games (especially the Pittsburgh Steelers). Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her daughter Lisa, family, friends, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren who were so dear to her heart.

Helen is survived by sons Michael Unterreiner (Annette) and Mark Unterreiner (Kelly), a daughter Lisa Unterreiner Vaniel, all of Waynesville NC. She is also survived by grandchildren Michael, Brooklyn, Kaleigh, Leslie and Kendyl, Great grandsons Myles and Clayton, great granddaughters Savannah and Eleanor, two stepdaughters Maureen, Lori and stepsons John, Jimmy, sisterinlaw, Joan See. Also, Several nieces, nephews and cousins who meant a lot to her. Special thanks to Gaylyn Lee for all the loving care and companionship.

In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ARC of Haywood County at 407 Welch St. Waynesville NC 28786.