Helen M. (Marcil) Brennan

Troy-Helen Marcil Brennan, 103, of Troy passed into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Born in Cohoes, N.Y. on August 21, 1920, Helen was the daughter of the late George Marcil and Juliette Cole Marcil, and wife of the late William F. Brennan. 

Helen graduated from Catholic Central High School and enlisted with her brothers and sister into the United States Coast Guard to serve her country from 1941-1945.  She was a recruiter and travelled the United States with her sister Julianna to small towns staying in boarding houses while signing young men up to serve their country during WW II. Years later Helen would write about some of her adventures in a memoir writing class, and then later lead a memoir class for seniors as a volunteer at Our Lady of Hope Residence.  Helen was proud of her service to her country. She flew to Washington D.C. on the Honor Flight with other veterans from the Greatest Generation a few years ago, and she was grateful for the experience and trip. 

Recently she was honored as the oldest living veteran resident of Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Home. Helen retired from the Social Security Administration and she and husband Bill took up ballroom dancing, and travelled to Ireland and Hawaii among their favorite spots in the World. They vacationed for many years in Maine during the summers where they basked in the ocean air walking miles along the coast, sometimes in the company of their children and grandchildren. Helen also became a competitive swimmer when she retired, winning over 25 medals for her breast stroke in state competitions with the United States Masters Swimming Program which she enjoyed for many years. Helen has published short prose and poetry and was an avid reader until she lost her sight a few years ago. She was a communicant of St. Michaels Church in Troy, and a member of the Third Order of Franciscans St. Bernadine of Siena Fraternity for many years.

Helen was predeceased by husband William F. Brennan, son Dennis M. Brennan and son-in-law Harry Keefe. She is survived by her sister-in -law Marilyn Marcil, her children; Kristin (Harry) Keefe, Michael Brennan, Daniel (Sharon) Brennan, Rosemary Brennan and Celine (Michael) Casey. Helen is also survived by grandchildren Christopher Rice and Jay (Patty) Rice, Louis (Yolanda) Keefe and James (Kathy) Keefe, Summer (Stace) Brennan, Lauren (Kevin) Clemente, Evan Quinn, and Gabriel (Jessica) Casey along with great grandchildren Christopher (Eliza) Rice, Victoria Rice, Meaghan Rice, Joey Rice, Abby Keefe, Miguel Keefe, Anthony and Shane Clemente, and Joie Casey as well as great great grandson Spencer Rice. Helen was pre deceased by brothers David Marcil, Raymond Marcil, George (Dorothy) Marcil, Jack (Marilyn), Marcil, Edmund (Eva) Marcil, and sister Julianna (John) Gorski. 

The family would like to thank B-2 nursing staff of Van Rensselaer Manor for their loving care of Helen.

Family and friends are invited and may call from 9:00 am to 10:00 am with funeral mass to follow at 10:00 am all on Wednesday February 28, 2024 at St. Michael the Archangel Church 175 Williams Road, Troy. Burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Troy.

Funeral arrangements by John H. Clinton Funeral Home now located at the Wynantskill Funeral Home, Wynantskill.  Please visit www.wynantskillfh.com.

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