Helen O'Boyle

Helen O’Boyle, age 90 of Grey Cloud Island Twp, passed away July 4, 2018.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am, Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park.  Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 pm Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Kok Funeral Home, 1201 Portland Ave., St. Paul Park and also one hour prior to the service at church.  Interment will be in the Grey Cloud Island Cemetery.

Helen was born November 2, 1927 in South St. Paul, Minnesota to George and Mary Kocak, the fourth of seven children.  She grew up in South St. Paul where she graduated from high school in 1945.  She met Carroll O’Boyle and they were united in marriage on October 22, 1949.  They lived in South St. Paul for a short time before moving to Grey Cloud Island in 1950 where they built their home and raised their 6 children.

She loved to garden which led to her to get involved with the Washington County Fair where she oversaw the annual flower entries.  She was active with the DFL and a member of the Grey Cloud Island Planning Commission and also served as an election judge for many years.  She was the best mom ever and was always “in tune” to the lives of her children and family.  She enjoyed baking and cooking.  Helen loved her life and connected with people quickly after moving into Norris Square.  She enjoyed playing bingo and bunco with her friends and especially her sister Laurie, brother-in-law Bob and sister-in-law Charlotte.

Loving mother to Mary Ann (George) Nelson, Therese (Clint) Snow, Mark (Jill), Susan (Richard Petefish) Wamstad, Patricia (David) Bestler and John (Laura); proud grandma to Ryan, Cory, Jessie, Charlie, Jennifer, Jeannie, Rebecca, Jake, Luke, Zach, Rachel, Jack, Madeline, Gillian, Tanner and Symon; great-grandma to Issac, Aaliyah, Stan, Wyatt, Lyle and Baby Girl Parent (arriving soon); loving sister to Laurie (Robert) McKay and Mary Hogberg as well as sister-in-law Charlotte Kocak and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband Carroll in 2001; parents George and Mary; brothers Steve, George and John and sister Anne Politi.