Helenann McCarthy

MADISON, Wis. / TUCSON, Ariz - Helenann McCarthy – a beautiful person and eternal optimist- died peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2020, surrounded by her family after a short battle with cancer. She was 78. Helenann was born in St. Paul, Minn. on March 16, 1942, to Vaughn J. McCarthy and Loretta L. (McAndrews) McCarthy. She graduated from Our Lady of Peace (OLP) High School in St. Paul, Minn. and attended Marquette University for two years and graduated from the College of St. Catherine’s in St. Paul, Minn. Helenann was an amazing mother, woman and friend. She was a “live your life” extraordinaire. While raising a family of five in Columbus, Wis., she was an entrepreneur, student of Law, book reader, writer and collector. She was able to contribute to any conversation due to her knowledge and life experiences. To mention a few of her accomplishments, she earned the real estate designation of Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), she attended the College of Law of England and Wales and was a member of Gray’s Inn of Court in London, she was a short film director (attending the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France for many years) and a children’s book author. Helenann was a world-traveler, visiting over 15 countries. She developed lasting friendships in every country and expanded those friendships as connections to everyone else she knew. Her children always marveled at the fact that at the end of any airplane leg, she would know more about her seatmates than their next of kin. She truly loved people. What was most important to Helenann was her family. Despite her jet-setting lifestyle, she never missed a family event; births, first communions, graduations, dance recitals, Austin Fest, etc., and her grandchildren were top priority. Helenann is survived by her five proud children, Kelly (Patrick) Austin, Tara (Steve Suter) Pearson, Danielle (Billy) McCorkle, Andrew Pearson, and Nicole (Andy) Holtzen; 15 grandchildren; two sisters, Maureen McCarthy and Shawn McCarthy; and one nephew, Robert Rabe. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vaughn and Loretta McCarthy; and brother, Roger McCarthy. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Helenann’s life will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2020. A visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. Due to COVID-19 guidelines at this time, social distancing and face masks are required. “Grieve not . . . nor speak of me with tears . . . but laugh and talk of me . . . as though I were beside you. I loved you so . . . ‘twas Heaven here with you.” Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park St. (608) 835-3510