HELEN B. GLEASON
December 1, 1929 – July 3, 2018
New Windsor, NY formerly of Highland Mills, NY

Surrounded by her loving family and friends, Helen Gleason, 88, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018. Cherished matriarch for her large extended family, she was a loving caregiver to anyone who walked through the door. Originally from the Bronx, Helen assisted her mother Veronica in supporting the family after her father’s death. She worked at Manhattanville College and the United Nations before her marriage to John and starting her family. A devoted mother to her own five children, she helped in raising many nieces and nephews, aided friends and neighbors in need, and always looked for the best in people. Her life lessons and no-nonsense advice on finance, family care, and common sense will live on in all who knew her. She returned to the workforce once her children were in school, and worked for Allstate Insurance for many years before retiring. Determined to maintain her health, she learned to swim in her 60s, and for years swam laps at the Y in New Windsor. She and John enjoyed the snowbird lifestyle in Fort Pierce, Florida for many years. A breast cancer survivor of 15 years, she remained independent and active to the end, moving to New Windsor in 2014. Among her favorite pastimes were visiting with family and friends, reading, and watching Jeopardy and the Yankees.
Beloved wife of the late John G. Gleason of Highland Mills, Helen is survived by loving children: Michael and wife Lauren, Catherine and Frank Sammon, Mary Ann and husband Douglas Schultheis, John G. Jr., Thomas and wife Doreen; and 9 grandchildren: Adam, Lindsay, Ashley, Morgan, Tyler, Kelly, and Kate Gleason, Laurel and Eric Schultheis; beloved “Aunt Helen” to a host of Sweeneys, Coyles, and Beauvais. Helen was predeceased by her siblings: Richard, Elaine, William, and brother-in-law Joseph Gleason. In addition to her children and grandchildren, Helen is survived by brother-in-law: Thomas and wife Joan of Park Ridge NJ, sisters-in-law: Mary Therese Gleason of Santa Barbara CA, and Maureen Coyle, of Blackwood NJ, and Yuris Vasquez of Hackensack NJ.
Reposing at Quigley Brothers Funeral Home, 337 Hudson Street Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY; visiting on Friday, July 6th, 2018 from 4 to 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s RC Church, Highland Mills Saturday, July 7th at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org or 1.800.272.3900), 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 203, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley Bros. Funeral Home; to send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to www.Quigleybros.com