Helen L. Mccune

Helen Louise McGinley McCune passed away on January 20. She was born 1935 in Bayard, NE to parents Frank and Jeanette McGinley. Helen was struck by polio at the young age of 3 and was a member of the Polio Society until her teens. Not one to let injury slow her down, Helen moved to Omaha after high school where she expanded her studies, practiced writing and lived out her 20's. On November 1, 1961 she married her high school sweetheart, Richard '"Dick" James McCune of Gering, NE. Together they had four daughters, Maureen, Melissa, Cassandra, and Bridget. In 1982 they moved to Olathe, KS and reside there today. After a long career in the newspaper business and spent her retirement enjoying her family and social groups.

As a young woman, Helen dreamed of living in Europe and becoming a novelist. Still a voracious reader, it was common to find her reading at least three novels at any given time. She adored hot tea, loved movies, popcorn, chocolate, Mexican food, and a good Italian Margarita. A devout Catholic, Helen rarely missed Sunday mass. She also had a fondness for cats and was known to take in strays.

A natural beauty, she always had a strong sense of style and never left the house without her hair curled and her signature red wine lipstick. Her granddaughters lovingly refer to her as a "total Betty". Helen will be remembered for her sassy personality, sharp wit and fierce love for her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her youngest brother, Jimmy. She will be honored in an intimate family ceremony and laid to rest in her hometown of Bayard, NE. Helen is survived by her husband Richard, her brother Frank "Barney", her 4 daughters, 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

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