Helen was born in Duagh, County Kerry, Ireland on June 5, 1955, to James and Mary Sheehy. She was the second of four children; her siblings are Nora Mary (Noreen) (deceased), Mary Christine (Chris) and John.
Helen was always looking to further herself throughout her life. When she turned 15, she left Ireland and went to London to seek opportunities. She lived with her relatives until she got a job in the Marks & Spencer Department Store at age 16 and moved into an apartment with her friend Julie.
She did not want to stay as a staff person at the store so after a couple of years, she decided to become a nurse and was accepted into the St. George’s Hospital Nursing School, one of the finest teaching hospitals in London. She graduated as a nurse and then worked at the Harley Street Clinic in London, a facility which specialized in providing cancer and plastic surgery services to celebrities from all over the world. During her long employment there, she took care of Sting, Shirley Bassey and the royal family of Saudi Arabia. She was selected to care for these high-profile people due to her clinical skill and sparkling personality.
When she turned 31, she decided to make another life change and came to the United States to see what she could accomplish there. In 1988, she met the love of her life, Dennis Spillane, and they were married in Rye, New York on April 8, 1989. The couple moved to Rye, bought a house and welcomed two children, Katherine Marie in 1990 and Kevin Denis in 1993.
She developed an interest in elder care and due to her professional and personal talents (she graduated from Columbia University’s Davis School of Nursing), she became the Director of Nursing at the Port Chester Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, Port Chester, NY. This is a 160-bed facility, and she worked there for over 20 years. During that time, she was recognized as a leading expert in elder care in Westchester County and taught clinical nursing care at Westchester Community College. She received an award from the college for outstanding teaching.
Everyone who ever met Helen was impressed with her wonderful personality and kind nature. Outside of her career, Helen had a vibrant spirit and a love of life’s simple pleasures. She especially enjoyed country music, and fashion, always bringing her own sense of style and warmth wherever she went.
Her kindness, laughter, and unwavering love for her family will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband and two children.
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