Obituary of Helen Louise Harvey

Helen Louise Harvey came into the world on February 20, 1946, in the midst of a snowstorm, narrowly making it to the Stamford Hospital. Helen was a proud lifelong resident of Stamford, Connecticut. She passed away at her home on May 28, 2023. She was the loving and dedicated daughter of Francis and Mary Harvey. She had one brother,  Lt. Colonel Francis M. Harvey, Jr., who passed away in 2021.  She is survived by her nieces Mary Ellen Travis of Milford, OH, Mary Jo Phoenix, of Kirkland, WA, Karen Urelius of Seattle, WA, Kathleen Harvey of Topeka, KS, and nephew Francis Harvey of Wichita, KS. 

Helen graduated in 1967 from Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa with a degree in history and a minor in education. She went on to receive a master’s degree and sixth-year diploma in education. 

Ms. Harvey spent her professional career teaching at Stamford public schools, primarily in grades 3^rd – 5^th, including Stevens, Westover, Rogers, K.T. Murphy, and Stark.

Helen was an avid traveler and has been to numerous places including Greece, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Bora Bora, Asia, Scandinavia, and the Caribbean. She enjoyed regular trips with friends and family to Lake Tahoe and Vermont.  She loved water and spent hundreds of hours recreating in and around the shores of Holly Pond, Lake Tahoe, Lake Hortonia, Long Island Sound, and Maine. When she wasn’t traveling, you could guarantee she was at home or in the stadium rooting for the Mets.    

Helen’s passion for travel was only matched by her penchant for adopting animals. Her house, affectionately known as “the fur palace,” was always full of no fewer than 3 – 5 cats and dogs.  She left behind three beloved pets; her precious dog Skye and her faithful felines Shea and Kit Carson. 

Helen was a loyal teacher, aunt, and friend. She showed us that with wit and a tenacious spirit, you can weather any storm and reach the placid shores, the gentle wind at your back.  May Helen rest in peace in God’s eternal embrace.

A wake will be held at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home located at 104 Myrtle Ave. Stamford, CT 06902 on Monday June 5 from 5-8 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church on Elm St. in Stamford on Tuesday June 6 at 10 A.M. followed by interment at St. John’s Cemetery in Darien.

In lieu of flowers or donations, please shower a friend, neighbor, or stranger with kindness, or consider adopting a pet in need. 

May the sun be warm and kind to you;

The darkest night some star shine through;

The dullest morn a radiance brew;

And when dusk comes – God’s hand to you!

                                                      - Irish Blessing