Helena Riordan

Helena Riordan passed away on August 10, 2024, with her loving family by her side. She was 86 years old. Helena was born on June 19, 1938, in Co. Clare, Ireland to Delia and Frank Griffin. She was one of eleven children. Helena graduated from the Technical School, Kilrush, Co. Clare in Ireland and immigrated to the United States in 1958. She worked for Chemical Bank New York Trust Company as a stenographer. After many years of devoting her energies to her family, Helena returned to work as a mental health advocate at Robert Yeager Health Center in Pomona, N.Y. Helena retired from there in 2002 and enjoyed traveling with her husband, beach vacations with her family, and countless milestone events with her children and grandchildren. She was always busy, with endless energy and zeal.

Helena is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Dennis Riordan, an infant daughter, Bridget, an infant son, Thomas, an infant granddaughter, Erin, her parents, and two brothers, Frank and Thomas and sister Mary. Helena is survived by her six children and 18 grandchildren: Eileen Thiesing and her children, Sean and Paul and their father Paul; Frank Riordan and his children, Delia, Frankie, Olivia and Julia and their mother Heidi; Dennis and Christine Riordan and their children Maggie, Dennis, Caroline and Claire; Siobhain and Frank Tucek and their children, Franky, Kayla and Jack; Deirdre and Chris Carney and their children, Meaghan, Kelleigh and Katie; Colleen Wiedemann and her children, Luke and Keri and their father Matthew; her two great grandchildren- Kevin and Winnie, her brothers Michael, Patrick, and Paul, her sisters Bridget, Patricia, Rita, and Josephine, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Helena was a person of principle, grace, and elegance. She will be remembered for her unimaginable strength, strong faith, and determined spirit. She was a devoted wife and a loving, caring, nurturing mother and grandmother. Helena was an inspiration to all her children and grandchildren. She had a passion for music and missed dancing with her husband all these years. We know they are dancing together again! Helena’s incredible legacy will live on through her family. We are so grateful to have been blessed with her all these years and she will always be in our hearts.

A memorial mass in Helena’s honor will occur on Saturday, September 7th, at 10 am, at St. Augustine’s Church in New City, N.Y. followed by a private interment at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet, NY.