Helen G. (Leary) O'Leary Mcdonald

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Helen Grace Leary O'Leary McDonald. Helen was 89 years young and spent the past 4.5 years living in Charleston, SC to be near her son John O'Leary.

Helen was born on May 2, 1936, in Potsdam, NY, to John and Pauline (Scanlon) Leary. She grew up in Colton and graduated from Colton-Pierrepont Central School. A longtime communicant of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Canton, her faith was a guiding force throughout her life.

Her early career was spent at Canton ATC. She married William "Bill" O'Leary on August 1, 1970, whom with she welcomed their son John Emmett O'Leary. She helped Bill run O'Leary's Funeral Home until his passing in 1984. After Bill's passing, she later re-married to William "Paul" McDonald, and lovingly gained two more sons, Tom & John McDonald, daughter Nancy McDonald, and sister-in-law MaryBeth McDonald Boulin.

Helen enjoyed to travel: vacationing in different countries with Paul, celebrating Mother's Day with family in Las Vegas, going to the casino, and many trips to visit John wherever he was living… Cincinnati, Jackson, Atlanta, and Charleston. Helen was passionate about enjoying life and having fun with those around her. Her youthful spirit was infectious to family, friends, and strangers alike. She loved to host & was a great cook. Her love for cats, wine, shopping, her family & holidays will always remind us of her warm, delightful spirit. She had a knack for winning Christmas bingo & the game "left right center" during Christmastime spent with family in Vermont. She enjoyed reading tabloids for the latest gossip, testing her knowledge while watching the Game Show Network, and her beloved black cat, Kit. She was often found with her favorite side-kick, her sister Mary. At only 13 months apart, they shared a close bond throughout their lives.

Helen is survived by her sons: John Emmett O'Leary & fiancé Lauren Parker of Charleston, SC; John (Tammy) McDonald and Tom (Vicki) McDonald of Franklin, VT; grandchildren: Wade (Jami) McDonald, Erin (Dylan) Lothian, Marleigh (Jordon) Bronner, and Kinnon (Karishma) McDonald; and 5 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

She was predeceased by her first husband, William "Bill" O'Leary, second husband, William Paul McDonald, sister, Mary Leary Murphy, daughter Nancy McDonald, sister-in-law MaryBeth McDonald Boulin, and brother-in-law Peter Murphy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 10 a.m. with Father Scott Belina, celebrating. Burial will be held in the St. Mary's Cemetery immediately following Mass. Family and friends may call at the O'Leary Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 4-7 p.m.

Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com.

 Hospice and Palliative Care of the St. Lawrence Valley 
P.O. Box 510, Potsdam NY 13676
 Tel:  1-315-265-3105
 Web:   http://seriousillness.net/stlawrence 

 Potsdam Humane Society 
17 Madrid Avenue, Potsdam NY 13676
 Web:   http://www.potsdamhumanesociety.org