Obituary of Helen Kiely

It is with both sadness and celebration that the Patterson and Martin families announce the passing of Helen M. Kiely. Helen passed away on July 22, 2026, in her own home, surrounded by her loving family, at the remarkable age of 107. Helen was born on May 5, 1919, in Cortland, New York, the daughter of Ward W. Fuller and Anna Driscoll Fuller. She graduated from St. Mary's School in 1937 and went on to study at Cortland State Normal School before earning a business degree from Cortland Business School. In 1942, she married her high school sweetheart and fellow graduate, Patrick Kiely, proving that high school romances can work out—especially if you both love a good project. Together, they launched and operated several successful businesses, from food and catering concessions at Dwyer Memorial Park and Greek Peak to a house-flipping operation decades before HGTV made it trendy. If you bought a house in Cortland in the 1960s or '70s and the cleanliness and décor looked suspiciously good, there was a fair chance Helen had something to do with it. Helen began her professional career at the Cortland Standard as a proofreader before moving into the business office. She later served as an office manager and bookkeeper for the White IGA group. A lifelong member of St. Mary's Church, Helen devoted 72 years to the Catholic Daughters and the Altar Rosary Society. She kept the faith—and the books—in equal measure. Helen is survived by her loving daughter, Susan Patterson; her grandchildren, Kevin (Tina) Patterson, Gregg Patterson, and Annie (Tom) Martin; and her great-grandchildren, Andrew (Katie) Patterson, James Martin, and Kiely Martin. She is also survived by her Sheridan and Burns nieces and nephews, with whom she shared a special and enduring relationship throughout her life. She was predeceased by her husband, Patrick, in 1973, and her son-in-law, James Patterson, as well as her Sheridan nephews, Charles, Joseph, and Michael. Over the course of her extraordinary 107 years, Helen witnessed tremendous change in the world around her. She lived through two World Wars, the Great Depression, two pandemics, and 19 presidents and through it all, she remained steadfastly herself—a strong and independent woman who was a female role model before the concept even had a name. She brought a sharp wit, strong values, remarkable determination, and an unmatched work ethic to every project she undertook. Above all, she had a deep and abiding love for her family, her faith, her church, and her community. The Patterson and Martin families would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the entire Hospicare team, especially Katelyn, Annette, and Michael, whose compassionate care and support allowed Helen to remain in her own home, just as she wished. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Church in Cortland, New York, on Saturday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception and Celebration of Life at the Cortland Elks Club. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. The family will also be available to greet guests in the church vestibule prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Hospice Foundation of Cortland County, 11 Kennedy Parkway, Cortland, NY 13045—or do something Helen would appreciate: say a prayer, volunteer at church, or finally fix that thing around the house you've been meaning to tackle.