Helen Teresa Meany, who lived a beautiful and fulfilling life focused on family, friends and faith, peacefully passed into the arms of the Lord on Dec. 17, ending her battle with dementia just a month after the death of Bill, her husband of 64 years. Helen was simply the best of all of us, with a kind and loving heart and a unique sense of humor that made everyone smile.

Helen was born the only child of George and Sadie Corey on Aug. 13, 1934, in North Hollywood, California, where her father worked at Universal Studios. Helen's family eventually moved to Bellevue, Wash., where she spent her childhood in an idyllic setting with fruit trees and a fenced pasture in the area now known as Auto Row. Helen was surrounded by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. This spirited extended family was anchored by her Lebanese immigrant grandparents, George and Rose Waham, who managed a farm and trucked produce to Pike Place Market. It was during this time she learned to love and prepare a variety of Middle Eastern dishes, many of which live on with her family and are prepared with love in her honor.

Helen attended the old Bellevue Grade School and graduated from Bellevue High School before attending Seattle University and earning her teaching degree. It was there she met Bill Meany, and the two married on Aug. 10, 1957, at the old Sacred Heart Church on Main Street in Bellevue. This began a wonderful relationship grounded in faith and love.

Their first years of marriage were filled with adventure, travel and lasting friendships while Bill completed his two-year active-duty obligation as an Army officer in Germany. While in Germany, Helen gave birth to the first of their four children, Michael, before returning to the US and settling in Kirkland.

As Bill and Helen worked together to raise the family, Helen took up golf and for decades played every week during the summer months with the lady's group at the old Redmond Golf Course and later at Snoqualmie Falls. A long-time member of Holy Family Kirkland where her children attended grade school, Helen served as school board chair and volunteered her time. She was also an avid reader and bridge player and took pride in her longtime book club with her high school friends. Mostly, she was a champion of family gatherings, most notably on Whidbey Island, where Helen and Bill enjoyed summers in their vacation home. Because family always came first, it was on Whidbey where Helen mandated that her children, spouses and grandchildren unite once a year to play golf, love, laugh, do silly skits and eat homemade Lebanese meals at an event the family affectionately named the "Bozo Open."

Not even the cruelty of dementia could rob Helen of her true self, as she remained sweet, beautiful and strong right up until the end. Her humility and gentle nature made a lasting impression on all she knew and served her well as she raised her family and left lasting impressions with her values, and steadfast adherence to her Catholic faith.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Bill on Nov. 2, 2021. She leaves behind four children: Mike Meany of Kirkland, daughter Claire Beighle (Doug) of Kirkland, Paul Meany (Heidi Marie) of Bothell and Dave Meany (Heidi Linn) of Spokane. She was also blessed with eight grandchildren – Lindsay, Jack, Patrick, Lauren, Sydney, Kathryn, Hannah and Genevieve.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Dec. 27, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 7045 120th Ave. NE. in Kirkland. Family and friends are invited to arrive early or stay a bit after to share memories. Following service, people are welcome to attend burial at 1:30 p.m. at Holyrood Cemetery (205 NE 205th St, Shoreline, WA).

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Catholic Community Services or Hopelink .

To share memories of Helen, please sign the online guestbook and bookmark this link for return visits: https://www.evanschapel.com/obituary/helen-meany