Helen McHugh died peacefully in her home on October 28, 2023. She was 87 years old and predeceased by her loving husband Patrick McHugh Sr., who adoringly referred to her as his "beautiful bride" throughout their 56 years of marriage. Helen wishes to be remembered as a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, as well as a faithful Catholic.

Helen was born in New York City to the late Peter and Mary Gallagher. She attended Incarnation School in Washington Heights, Cathedral High School in Manhattan, and attended college part-time while working at NYU and CIT before marrying Pat. Soon thereafter Pat and Helen embarked on their life together; first in the Marine Corps, with stops in Quantico, Camp Lejeune, then in Landsdowne and Glenolden, Pennsylvania, followed by a career move and U.S. Marine Reserves in Mobile, Alabama, and finally in 1968, settling in the Wilmington, Delaware & West Chester, Pennsylvania area.

While raising her six children and working, Helen continued to pursue her undergraduate and graduate education; BAAS University of Delaware - Sociology, Masters in Counseling - University of Delaware, and a Masters in Administration - West Chester University. Helen worked for over 20 years as a Medical Social Service Worker at Riverside and St. Francis Hospitals. In addition, she was a counselor for Catholic Charities. She always dedicated herself to protecting the vulnerable and helping those in need. Her tireless work and leadership benefitted many: Ministry of Caring, Sojourners Place, Delaware Association for Drug & Alcohol Counselors (DAADAC), Child Inc., Birthright Delaware, Churches Take A Corner (CTAC), American Cancer Society, Delaware Fair Housing, and League of Women Voters in Mobile, Alabama.

In 1996 Helen was struck with an illness and needed a miracle. She underwent surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and received the ultimate gift, the Gift of Life, a liver from an organ donor. Ten years later she received another Gift of Life, a kidney from another kind donor at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC, her childhood neighborhood. Though the transplants ended her career in medical social service, they did not stop her work in the community. She lived and worked, honoring the genuine act of love she received from two donors, fully understanding the blessing of life and with renewed spirit to serve others every day.

Over those 27 years since 1996, Helen was greatly appreciative of the wonderful and attentive medical care she received from HUP, Columbia, Penn Radiology, and lastly Penn Hospice and Aides. They were all caring angels, for which the family is extremely grateful.

Helen is survived by her children Mary Crowley (Bob), Tricia Lyons (Garry), Helene Eissler (Fred), Peter McHugh (Mary Beth), Frances Tuinstra (Carl), and Patrick McHugh Jr. (Lori).  Her 22 grandchildren are Michael Crowley (Amanda), Shannon Dalle Pazze (Mark), Joseph Crowley

(Juliana), Robert Crowley (Kelly), and James Crowley; Garrett Lyons (Catherine), Meghan Mahoney (Stuart), Faith Burns (John), Patrick Lyons, and Jane Lyons; Midshipman Frederick Eissler (deceased), Sarah Forker (Porter), Madeleine Eissler, Grace Eissler, and Gretel Eissler; Owen McHugh, Annie McHugh, Liam McHugh, and Maggie McHugh; Sophia McHugh, Emma McHugh, and Ava McHugh. Her 11 great grandchildren are Malakaye, Mackenzie, Michael Jr., Melanie, and Mason Crowley; Luke and Anna Delle Pazze; Brooks and Max Crowley; Rhett Lyons; Niamh Forker; and two more on the way -- Thanks be to God!

Helen is also survived by her loving sister Patricia, brother Dominick, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Her brothers Peter, Thomas, and Edward all predeceased her.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine Church in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday November 4th at 11:30 a.m. with a visitation for family and friends at 10:30 a.m. at the church prior to Mass.  Burial follows immediately in the adjacent church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ministry of Caring, in the name of the Patrick & Helen McHugh Dental Fund in support of the Pierre Toussaint Dental Office, or in the memory of her brother, Peter Gallagher.