Helen McGary

Helen Elizabeth Read McGary passed away on May 11th, 2021. An adventuresome soul her entire life, she has embarked upon her final journey to everlasting life. Helen was born on December 8th, 1952 in Miami, Florida to Wyeth and Mary Read. Along with her brother William "Bill" Read, the family lived in Gainesville, Merritt Island, Rockledge, and finally Cedar Key Florida where Wyeth took a position as High School Principal. At Cedar Key High School, Helen participated in FHA, Yearbook, Student Council, Beta Club, Drama Club, Basketball and Band (flute). She met her lifelong friends Mim and ChaRue there (to name a few) and was elected Homecoming Queen her senior year. She went on to graduate from LSU in Baton Rouge where she became a Tigers fan and was a proud third-generation member of the Tri-Delta sorority. After college, Helen felt called to see the West - so she journeyed in her red Ford Falcon to Yellowstone National Park, where she worked in the reservations department at the Mammoth Hotel and met her future husband, Christopher Ray McGary. Helen traveled the area extensively and also lived in Corwin Springs (Montana), Julietta (Idaho), and Clarkston (Washington) before she and Christopher married in Boise, Idaho in 1977. Helen and Chris soon moved to Clarksville, Tennessee where she gave birth to Clark Read McGary in 1984 and Anna Elizabeth McGary in 1985. Being a mother was the one endeavor that Helen always loved the most, and she gave her time and attention to her children as a stay at home mom for several years after they were born. Missing the mountains and western lifestyle, the family moved back to the Rocky Mountains in 1993 where they settled in Bozeman, Montana. Helen worked for the Bozeman Public School system as an administrative assistant to the GED and Adult Ed programs, and later the Bozeman High School athletic department. While living in Bozeman, she enjoyed hiking, camping, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and generally being outdoors with nature in the beautiful surrounding area. Hyalite Reservoir was a favorite retreat. Helen and Chris divorced in 2004, and shortly thereafter Helen moved to Kalispell, Montana where she worked at Headstart and enjoyed being near Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake. She continued to travel on her own for the rest of her life, visiting friends and seeing the sights of North America. She even worked in a remote hunting lodge in Alaska for a year that was only accessible by plane. She recalled the beauty of the northern lights and the fascinating cycle of the midnight sun. Helen had recently returned to Williston Florida to care for her parents, where she was a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. A devout Episcopalian her entire life, she served as both a Mission Board member and a reader at Sunday services. While living in Williston, Helen reunited with her high school friend Mim and they published a childrens book, "ABCedar Key", which Helen illustrated. It brought her great joy to share the book with family and friends. Ms. McGary was preceded in death by her parents Wyeth and Mary Read and her brother Bill Read. She is survived by her children, Clark Read McGary of Cherry Grove, Oregon and Anna M. Caro (Zack) of Nashville, Tennessee; three grandchildren Emily and Logan McGary, Andy Kaloz and Riley Kaloz of Oregon; sister-in-law Emily "Missy" Read of Louisiana; nieces Katie Read Mackey (Paul) of New Jersey and Sarah Read of Louisiana; nephew William Read of Louisiana; many cousins and extended family; and many dearly beloved friends with whom she shared many good times and adventures. She will be remembered for her warm personality, silly sense of humor and beautiful smile. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, June 13th, 2021 at 11:00am at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Williston with Alan Miller officiating. A Celebration of Life and spreading of Helens ashes will take place near Yellowstone National Park in the fall of 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Helen Read Memorial Fund for St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. Knauff Funeral Home of Williston is honored to serve the McGary family during their time of transition. Memorial Service Sunday, June 13, 2021 11:00 AM

Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Williston