Helen Theresa Feret

The Matriarch of the Feret Family, she created a home that made everyone feel welcome. While many knew her as a caring wife, loving mother, compassionate grandmother, empathetic great grandmother and a no-nonsense woman, Trishie, as she was known by her late husband John, was also an artist, an entrepreneur, a creator, a teacher, a lover of animals, and most of all, a friend.

Originally from Bridesburg, Helen was the daughter of Stanley and Helen Kliniewski. She met the love of her life John, and they married in 1959. Together they had four children and as their family grew, they built a new home in Langhorne, moving away from city life and Millbrook Rd. That home was destined to become the grand marque of the Feret Family; going on to host five generations of celebrations and photos “on the rock” over the course of 45 years. Birthday parties, graduations, baptisms, Eagles games (GO BIRDS), Phillies games, and holiday celebrations all happened “at Moms”. Most memorable might be her Thanksgiving dinners, which included the traditional turkey and side dishes, but also her secret stuffing, mashed potatoes, and 25+ person guest list.

She also loved having animals around. In her younger days, she used to breed poodles, then discovered rescue in her later years. She taught Percy bird to constantly cry “let me out of here” and even yell “Trish” from across the house. Oscar Ferret was a welcome addition that didn’t last long once he bit her. She welcomed a lot of dogs over the years, and memorialized many in her paintings.

Friends turned into family, and Trish opened her home, heart, and sometimes opinions to anyone willing to accept it. That same philosophy helped her become a successful entrepreneur, running her own ceramics business for over 40 years. She was an artist who made original pieces and also had a calling to share her gift by helping to bring out creativity in others through her weekly classes. During those 40 years, Trish also dedicated a lot of her time working in the Middletown Senior Center. Work ethics aside, she knew how to relax and have fun. Whether it was with her own children at their Brigantine beach houses, with her husband at their Mystic Island bay home or on a float drifting around in her backyard pool, she knew when it was time to recharge. Mommom, as she was known by her grandchildren, was also a proud Disney adult, who hosted countless grandkid trips to Disney World just to have a little fun. Whenever she could, she attended school events, plays, graduations, and even taught crafts at Our Lady of Grace with her grandkids for a few years. She was happy being part of all of their lives.

She was known by many and was always the life of the party. She liked to unwind and never hesitated to accept an invitation to happy hour or out to dinner. It was not unusual to see her with a large margarita at Olive Garden or a cold beer at the Irish Rover. She never failed to talk to people wherever she went. Of recent history, those cold beers were drank on weekend nights watching Dateline with her daughter and granddaughters (which she mostly talked through and never got to the end of).

Her infectious laughter, her unbreakable spirit, her notorious yelling, and her ability to sing cares away will never be forgotten (cue County Roads, Elvira, On the Way to Cape May….). Bringing family together for fun times was one of her most treasured accomplishments and lasting legacies. She was one truly one of a kind.

She loved the spring and the peony flowers that came up in her garden every year (as long as we didn’t step on them). She loved watching the birds on the wire behind the house (she was sure it was Dad and Steve visiting). She loved the hummingbirds in the neighbors bush. She loved sitting outside on the porch. She loved reading her book in the pool. She loved ceramics, she loved her students, she loved her dog, she loved her family. But mostly she loved life. She left a lot behind. Her story was left unfinished, but her body sadly called it quits.

Trish is survived by her sons; John (Sue) and Wayne (Terry), daughter Patricia, grandchildren; Toni (Andy), Tiffany (Chris), John (Ericka), Kelsey (Ethan), Wayne (Katie), Dakota, Sierra, Stephanie (Matt), great grandchildren; Hunter, Thomas, Gianna, Giulia, Ellie, Dalton, Raelyn and Caleb and dog Snuggles. She was predeceased by her husband John and son Steven.

Trish will be missed by all who crossed her path, and her spirit will live on forever. Although we are surrounded by tears and that empty feeling in our hearts, soon that sadness will be replaced with laughter as we reminisce on the memories shared with her. All the laughs, drinks, late nights, and cherished moments will shine a spotlight on her name and remind all of us how much of a light she has emitted on our lives.

Visiting hours for friends and family will be on Sunday, March 24th from 4pm until 6pm and Monday, March 25th from 8:30 until 9:30am at the James Dougherty Funeral Home, 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA 19056. A Catholic Mass will follow at Our Lady of Grace Church, 225 Bellevue Avenue, Penndel, PA 19047, at 10:00am. Interment will be at Our Lady of Grace Cemetery, Langhorne, PA.

Memorial Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html