Helen B. McDonagh (nee O’Donnell) passed away peacefully on July 24th, 2022 surrounded by her loving family. She was born to Helen and John Kerry O’Donnell on June 29, 1948 in New York City. She was raised on 259th street in the Bronx. Helen attended elementary school at St. Margaret of Cortona School in the Bronx and went to Our Lady of Victory Academy in Dobbs Ferry for high school. She concluded her education with a nursing degree from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. Helen proudly worked for many years as an LPN at Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx. 

Helen married William V. McDonagh, the love of her life, on April 26, 1975. Billy was a New York State Trooper and the best friend of her brother Jimmy. Sadly, their time together was cut short when Billy tragically died in the line of duty in December 1975. Shortly after his death, Helen gave birth to their daughter Megan. Helen was able to persevere through this challenging time because of her unwavering strength and steadfast support from her family and friends. 

The one thing Helen loved most in her life was her family. She was a loyal daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, and grandmother. A self-proclaimed sports enthusiast, Helen loved the Giants, Knicks, but most of all the Yankees. One of her fondest moments was taking her grandsons, William and Graham, to Yankee Stadium and showing them Monument Park. She would tell her grandsons all about her favorite Yankee, Don Mattingly. One of the things that made her smile, even during her last days, was putting those Yankees on the TV for her to watch. 

Helen was predeceased by her husband Billy, her brothers Kevin and Brendan, and her sisters Kerry O’Brien and Geraldine Mahoney. She is survived by her daughter Megan Leddy, her son-in-law Jason Leddy and her grandsons William and Graham. Helen also leaves behind her brother Jimmy and his wife Margaret and her two sisters; Patricia Dooley and Bernadette O’Donnell and her husband John, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will take place at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave. Bronx, NY on Thursday, July 28 from 3-7 pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret of Cortona Church, 6000 Riverdale Avenue Bronx, NY on Friday July 29 at 9:45 am. Interment will take place following the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, NY. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Sisters of St. Dominic Blauvelt, located at 496 Western Highway, Blauvelt, NY 10913 would be appreciated.