Helen Dorothy Leedy's Obituary
Helen Dorothy Leedy
April 20, 1927 - December 10,2025
Helen Dorothy Leedy (nee Bogdon) was born in Mine Hill, New Jersey, on April 20, 1927, and completed her journey here on earth on December 10, 2025.
The youngest daughter of Stephen and Teresa Bogdon, she was preceded in death by six siblings, John Knapik, Mary Sirvent, Anna Kras, Christine Nietz, Steve Bogdon and Harry Bogdon.
When her mother was killed in a hit and run accident, the sixteen-year-old Helen went to work in a factory that made flares. At 18, she traveled with her friend Myra on a bus trip to California where she eventually remained. Working as a waitress in a café in National City, she met Keith Leedy who came in for lunch every day and married him three months later, on Christmas Day, 1946. They bought their first home on F Street in Chula Vista and raised three children, Carol Ann, Linda Sue, and Steven Keith. Nothing brought her more joy than being a loving wife to Keith and mother to her children. She and Keith enjoyed traveling the world together.
A devout Catholic, she was an active member of St. Rose of Lima Church in Chula Vista and served with the Sister Dolores Outreach to Orphanages in Tijuana. Helen was a past president of the Chula Vista Boys Club and enjoyed being master of ceremonies for fashion shows and leading bus trips to Studio City to visit game shows.
One of her foremost passions was the Al Anon Family Groups meetings which she attended for over 45 years, sharing her experience, strength and hope with family members affected by alcoholism. She made and maintained relationships with the countless women she encountered.
After a fall on April 9, 2014, Helen entered Birch Patrick Skilled Nursing facility and took up residence there until her death. She was
known for her smile, positive attitude, and gratefulness as she roamed the halls, sharing her joy with residents and medical staff alike.
The Leedy family would like to thank the Birch Patrick staff for 11½ years of care and support for their mother, and especially Colleen Zazworsky, a volunteer who became a very special and dear friend to Helen becoming like family. She visited regularly, took her for car rides and walks to the park and even decorated her room for every occasion.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Keith in 2003, her favorite sons-in-law Ken Shean in 2007 and Alfred Young in 2013 and her son Steven in 2015. She is survived by her loving daughters, Carol Shean and Linda Young, three grandsons who referred to her as Grandma Tessie, Kurt Robert Shean (Shana) of Australia, Kyle Wayne Shean (Tami) of Poway, CA, and Karl Lamont Shean (Anne) of Marco Island, FL. She leaves behind ten great grandchildren, Ofelia, Raski, and Jardin of Australia, Takyla of Poway, and Ethan, Ellizabeth, Evan, Eddie, Ella and Emma of Marco Island, FL., plus two bonus great grands Derrick Lewis of Virginia and Rory Constable of Australia.
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