Obituary of Helena C. McCrea

GOUVERNEUR – Helena C. McCrea, age 94, of Gouverneur, passed away on April 30, 2019 at Carthage Center. Her service will be private. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Gouverneur. Donations in memory of Helena may be made to the Gouverneur Hospital or the Gouverneur Rescue Squad. Condolences may be made online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Helena was born on November 13, 1924 in Gouverneur, a daughter of the late Olin and Edith (Reynolds) Clark. She attended the little red schoolhouse in North Gouverneur and graduated from the Gouverneur High School. Helena married Efton R. McCrea on May 19, 1956 in the Spragueville Methodist Church with Rev. Daisey Harvey officiating. The couple operated their dairy farm on the Kearney Road in Gouverneur for many years. Efton passed away on June 20, 2008. Mrs. McCrea loved animals. She and her husband enjoyed going to horse shows and she was very active in the 4-H where she served as a 4-H leader for many years. Helena was an active grandmother, babysitting and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved her vegetable garden and had played volleyball in high school and locally into her 70's. Her survivors include a daughter, Ola F. McCrea; three sons, Efton Jr. and Paige, Joel and Helen, and James, all of Gouverneur; and two sisters, Marybelle Needle and Doris Plant. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Keshia McCrea, Elizabeth and Patrick Cornell, Gary Johnson, Kristopher and Gina Johnson, Ethan and Ellen McCrea, Cody and Morgan McCrea; 6 great-grandchildren, Kelsee, Sarina, Jordyn, Kaiden, Benjamin and Abigail; and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents; her husband; a brother, John Clark; and two sisters, Ola Clark and Beryl Russell.