Helene Staley
Great Aunt Helen was a remarkable caring and sweet personality who filled my own soul with goodness, truth and love each time we spoke to one another. She helped me much during the 1990s and early 2000s with genealogical endeavors. I saved nearly every letter and card she ever sent to me. My Grandma Ruth McTall Leighton was her sister-in-law, and she adored Aunt Helen and always spoke kindly of her. Ruth's brother George was Aunt Helen's husband. I used to see them when they visited Ruth and my great grandparents Louie and Susie Biller McTall in Oakland, Md. I saw Aunt last in person in year 2003 at Ruth's wake. She was there with my first cousin once removed George who is a first cousin to my mother Patricia. Aunt Helen had traveled to Moncure in 2000 with her son Jerry and his family to attend a family reunion we had here. She was instrumental in helping me with genealogical information and family stories. I remember she liked peach pie and that she coukd peel potatoes even when her vision began to fail her. She told me she loved Mother's Day because she was remembered for it 9 times each year. She wss proud of her children and how unique each turned out in their accomplishment. Aunt Helen could remember always with perfect precision the birthdays of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She remembered those of extended family too. She never looked her age. She recalled the pet peeves of others and respected them for such things. Aunt had the ability to always put others at ease. I believe all the angels of Heaven came to Aunt Helen the day she passed out of her body. She was a good soul. I will love her always.