Helen L. Mcgeeney

Helen Lucille (Shehi) McGeeney, 91, of Louisburg, Ks. died on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at Louisburg Care Center. She was born on January 8, 1918 near Westmoreland, KS, the youngest of five children of John Andrew "Jack" and Johanna "Josie" Kennedy Shehi. She attended grammar school at Spring Creek School which her grandfather, George Washington Shehi, had helped build of stone, later attended Fostoria High School, then Central Business College in Kansas City, MO. First she taught in two grammar schools, one of which was Spring Creek School, then served as clerk/typist or secretary in Washington, D.C., Indiana, Kansas and South Dakota. In the 60"s and 70"s she did some news related writing. She was first of all a homemaker and mother. On July 15, 1939, she and Joseph were wed in St. Columbkille Church, Blaine, KS. They lived mainly in Kansas and South Dakota where they finished rearing their four children. Helen was a life-long Roman Catholic, member of Ladies Altar Society, the Legion of Mary, Pioneer Society, a CCD teacher and served as church secretary. During her life she enjoyed people, sewing, crocheting, crafts, writing, reading, puzzles and jokes. In 1982, her husband became a deacon, being ordained in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral by Bishop Harold J. Dimmerling of Rapid City. Helen assisted Deacon Joe in several diaconate ministries in western South Dakota. Among ministries they presented weekend seminars on "The Art of Forgiveness." The seminars had been created by their son, Stephen McGeeney. In 1992, after service in Rapid City diocese Joe & Helen moved to Maricopa, AZ where they helped out in St. Anthony of Padua Church of Casa Grande and its Missions. They became a church presence to the people of St. Francis de Sales Mission in Maricopa, serving in administration and pastoral ministries. In 1995, upon their stepping back from service, the Mission hall was named McGeeney Hall. In January 2002, Helen began facilitating a Humor Club in her Casa Grande home. Upon moving to Louisburg, KS in early 2004 she formed a new group. The humor club was a dream of Deacon Joe"s and hers, which had not been accomplished in his lifetime, so she carried this to fruition in his memory. In 2004 she started writing an occasional column entitled "Landing Funny Side Up," which the Louisburg Herald of Louisburg published. She was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Joe McGeeney in April, 2000, and before that her parents, two brothers and two sisters. Survivors include one daughter, Maureen (Stewart) Kelly, Louisburg, KS; three sons, Terrence Joseph (Donna) McGeeney, Pueblo, CO; Stephen K. (Tandra) McGeeney and Kevin J. McGeeney of Salt Lake City, UT; 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 11, 2009 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 606 South Elm St. Louisburg, KS. Visitation will begin after 9:00 a.m., at the church, with the Rosary being prayed at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Custer, South Dakota. Memorial Contributions to St. Anthony of Padua Church of Casa Grande or Louisburg Senior Center. Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 606 South Elm Louisburg, KS 66053 Service: Saturday, July 11, 2009 11:00 AM Visitation: Saturday, July 11, 2009 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM