Helen Cleary Stynes
elevated x1PdW October 10, 1944 – December 26, 2020
elevated x1PdW With heartfelt sorrow, the family of Helen Cleary Stynes announce her peaceful passing, surrounded by her family, at her home on December 26, 2020 at the age of 76.
Helen was a kind and loving mother, wife, grandmother, sister, teacher and friend who profoundly touched all those who knew her.
Born in County Tipperary, Ireland, Helen had lasting memories of her time at home in Crab, Gortnahoe, Thurles, her days at The Sisters of St Louis Convent Boarding School, Louisville, Monaghan, Ireland and her years at the University of Galway where she was one of the first women to pursue an undergraduate degree in science and a Masters Degree in Chemistry.
She left ‘home’ in 1968 to complete a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Northwestern University where she met Dennis, her husband of 50 years. They moved to Toronto where she taught Chemistry at Seneca College for 30 years. More recently, Helen took great pride in her work on the L’Arche Daybreak Capital Campaign and her time as a board member for L’Arche Daybreak. Loving mother of Miriam (Ewan), William (Carol), Sean (Joanne) and Siobhan (Josh). Devoted Nana/Grammy to Sequoia, Lochlann, Willow, Sebastien, Catherine, Claire, Audrey, James, Emma and Kieran. Dear sister to Tim, Marie, Margaret, William and Patricia. Predeceased by her parents William and Ellie Cleary, she is survived by 31 nieces and nephews in Ireland, England, Australia and the USA. Virtual funeral will be live-streamed on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 10 AM EST at the following link https://blessedtrinityto.archtoronto.org/.More information can be found at Catholic-Cemeteries.com. Donations can be made in her memory to L’Arche Daybreak: https://larchedaybreak.com/donate/
WE were very saddened to hear of the passing of Helen.
I remember her as a very kind and gentle soul; and there is no doubt in my mind that she is in the presence of our Lord.
With our heartfelt condolences, and all our prayers.
the Lo Bianco family
I dreamt of you last night, I noticed you had gained a little weight. We talked about my work, my past jobs and challenges. As always you gave me your opinion and were proud of my accomplishments. You were always on my mind, even after so many years of finishing school, and so I tried to “Google you up!” (You would laugh at that phrase! lol ) many times without results. Since you visited me last night I googled you again and found this page (like fate). I feel a little sad, but I know that in my heart I will always carry your voice with me. I know that you are in a better place now, I wish that our physical pass on this earth was eternal, then I would have you in my circle of close friends and someone I could always count on. Thank you. ‘Till we meet again.
May you rest in peace and enjoy all the pleasures that you wanted in live. You were an amazing person and the best sister ever. Thank you for all the chats, parcels etc.
I will so miss talking to you and listening to your voice.
Big hug + X as always,
Auntie Helen, My Mum tells me that you are at peace with your Mum, Dad and Fr Con. Thank you so much for all the parcels that you sent us . We loved opening them. It was like Christmas a few times a year. Designer gear . What a treat.
It was great to meet you at Karinas wedding .
My mum will miss you so much as she talks about all the time. XX
There was kindness that emanated from Helen- in her eyes and in her actions. An academic who was down to earth, sensitive. Helen worried about her family, and others but she left it in God’s good hands as well.
SHE is in His hands and she will be there, when it is our time to follow.
Helen was my oldest friend here. We go back a long way to University College Galway where we were the only 2 girls taking Chemistry. I will miss her and our chats
Fond memories of you, Helen, as we worked closely together on the capital campaign for L’Arche Daybreak. You always had a heart for others filled with generosity and humility. May God reward you with eternal peace in heaven.
Helen’s friendship will be cherished. She was a warm and supportive friend to me and to all of the wonderful people at L’Arche Daybreak. She will be sadly missed by all. Our deepest condolences go out to Dennis and their children. Please know that your Mum was much loved and appreciated.
I met Helen when her children were at BT. We were pregnant at the same time and Siobhan and Robert were born a day apart. Fast forward to grade school and organizing the swim team. We remained connected, Helen was a dear friend who was a wonderful counselor. I will miss our chats though know they will continue in a different form. She modeled her faith in such a quiet way which I will alway cherish. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam
Liz, condolences to you too. I know you cherished your friendship with Helen, and it is always heartbreaking when a dear friend leaves us.
Helen and Dennis were great friends to my parents and family. My brother, sister and I cherished this family friendship with Helen and Dennis. Helen was like a younger sister to my mother. Helen attracted friends from every generation with her welcoming nature, kindness, generosity and warmth. She always made time for a chat or visit. She opened her home to celebrate my parents 40th anniversary, and other events. She will be missed by those who knew her and loved her. Our thoughts and prayers to Dennis, Miriam, William, Sean and Siobhan.
Dear Dennis,
I was really saddened to hear of the passing of Helen, and I send my sincerest condolences to you and your family. I first met her, of course, when you arrived to spend a couple of years in the early 1970s as a Postdoctoral Fellow at UBC in Vancouver – you had just been married; she hadn’t quite finished her Ph.D under the supervision of Jim Ibers at Northwestern Univ, and her degree work was completed here. This led also to Jim coming to Vancouver, and scientific collaborative work with many associated social gatherings here and at York. Significant publications with the 4 of us as authors
appeared in the mid-70s, and contact has continued for 50 years. Unfortunately, Helen, and Joyce and Jane (respective
wives of Jim and me) have now all passed, and left three greatly saddened widowers but the memories will never be forgotten.
Very sorry to read of your loss, Dennis. Helen was a wonderful genial person. I (Alan) enjoyed having her as my partner for a Nat.Sci. Course at York University one year. We both enjoyed the twinkle in her eye and her Irish accent!
It was with great sadness that I heard of Helens death. We were in class together in St Louis. She was a great student. She came to visit us here in Mitchelstown on one of her visits to her sister Marie.
Judy and I were so sorry to hear about the passing of Helen. She was such a vibrant and warm person and we greatly cherish the gatherings that we spent together at York university and at your home. We send our deepest condolences and know that 2021 will be better than this year.
I was so sorry to learn of Helen’s passing. She was a fine person and a dedicated teacher. Over the years I had dealings with her especially during linkages of our two programmes and the arrival of Seneca College on the campus close to York. I hope you are doing well, Dennis.
To the Stynes Family:
My sincerest condolences to your family and to your father Dennis especially. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May Helen Rest In Peace.
Dear Siobhan: thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. May your mum Rest In Peace.
Our deepest condolences to all the Stynes and Cleary family in Ireland and Canada. We all have the fondest memories of Helen from her time as a substitute teacher in St Patrick’s Loreto in Bray, teaching William in Junior infants, and her visits while in college. Even after moving to the US and Canada, we always looked forward to her yearly trips home. Ever the lady, always unassuming, always kind and encouraging.
Helen has left a void that cannot be filled.
Ar dheist Dé go raibh a anam dílis
O Connell Family Greystones
Dear Dennis, Siobhan and family,
It is with great sadness that I heard of Helen’s passing.
I had a chance to attend the online service and listen to the beautiful and touching eulogy.
It reflected my own fond memories of Helen through my interactions with her, mostly over dinner at the IDWs.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Gino
Deepest condolences to you Miriam, your Dad Dennis, Siobhan, William and Sean and extended family.
Thinking of you all and delighted to listen to the mass today and the lovely Eulogy. It really highlighted the beautiful person Helen was.
From Mary (Fitzgerald)and Oisin Conway. Trim
I am very saddened to hear of the passing of Helen and wish to give my deepest condolences to my mentor Dennis Stynes and the family on this great loss.
Dennis, my deepest condolences on the passing of Helen.