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Helen's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

MADISON - Helen Theresa Leary, age 93, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at her home. She was born on August 6, 1931, in Charleston, S.C., the third of six children born to John and Eva (Holsonback) Blanche.

Helen graduated from Bishop England High School and St. Francis Xavier School of Nursing in Charleston. She was united in marriage to Patrick Leo Leary on November 22, 1952, in Charleston then moved to Madison to start their life together. Helen loved nursing, and worked as an RN at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison for 40 years, retiring in 1995.

Helen had a strong faith and was very active with Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She loved her family and was full of joy, laughter and a kind word for everyone. The lives she touched with her genteel Southern ways and simple, amazing grace are countless, and she was truly loved, respected and admired by all who knew her. She was an avid reader, loved and wrote poetry, and enjoyed crossword puzzles and Euchre games. She loved music and sang all her life. In addition to raising 10 children, Helen maintained lifelong friendships with her many girlfriends.

Helen will be dearly missed by her five daughters, Margaret (Gregory) Walters, Anne (John) Hillier, Jeanne (Keith) Causin, Tracy (Edgar) Johnson and Rita (LeeShon) Leary-Lewis; four sons, Daniel (Linda) Leary, David (Catherine Henderson) Leary, Steven (Lori) Leary and Sean (Kerry Hillard) Leary; son-in-law, Michael Durst; two brothers, Clifford (Jean) Blanche and Alan (Tanya) Blanche; a sister, Anne (Scott) Brightwell; 22 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick; daughter, Coleen Durst; son, Matthew Leary; parents, John and Eva; brother, John Blanche; and sister, Alice Galasso.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, with Father Chad Droessler presiding. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday.

Memorials may be made to the IHM Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Helen Leary

August 06, 1931 - March 20, 2025

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