Helen Rafferty

she and her best friend and sister Mary dreamed big. Their dreams led them to America. In America

she met and married Michael Rafferty of Brooklyn, New York. Together they raised six children in

the grand city with the values of Holy Name Church and the work ethic of Windsor Terrace. From

the baseball fields of Prospect Park to the pools of the YMCA, from 4th Street with the Timlins to the

shores of Rockaway Beach, Helen was known everywhere.

Helen worked getting children to school as a crossing guard and then later getting them to learn as

a trusted adult within the schools. She fed their hearts and their minds. She had that effect on

everyone she met. Her Irish wit and grand storytelling made her a popular person “Up Ninth” as well

at the Windsor Cafe. Whether as part of the church or the “Red Hat” Society, Helen had a friend on

every corner. She made an impact on those she met and it never was a matter of boasting.

Her children: Maureen, Patricia, Michael, Anne, John, and Christine always knew the one thing you

could count on in this world was Mom. Ever present and always ready to take you in, home was a

place you could always return to with Mom.

But her greatest role was as Grandma. First to Shawn. Anne’s pride and joy. Then Michael

Maureen’s special son. Shawn and Michael brought out talents in Helen that benefitted all her other

grandchildren. Patricia and Eddie had Lauren, Ryan and Daniel. They enjoyed many dinners and

sleepovers with Michael and Christine’s children Micaela and Jack. The wooden floors were never

hard at Grandma’s house.

Then John and Maureen brought Flynn, Mary and Rory and once again Grandma reinvented herself

to bring laughter and good comfort to any hard day. Finally Christine and Daniel brought Kenny to

her and she helped the whole family rediscover the neighborhood and the park through the eyes of

our family’s little ones.

Calling hours are Monday, November 1, 2021 from 3pm-7pm at Duffy’s Funeral Home (255 9th

Street, Brooklyn, NY). A mass of Christian burial will be performed at Holy Name Church (245

Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY) on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 10am.