Helen Cronin Murray, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024, in Helena, Montana, just days shy of her 83rd birthday. Born on December 15, 1941, in Butte, Montana. Helen was Neil and Margret Cronin's cherished third child.

Helen's early education was at Immaculate Conception School in Butte. After graduating from Girls Central Catholic School in 1960, she pursued higher education at Carroll College, earning a Bachelor's in elementary education in 1964. While at Carroll she met Mike Murray, whom she married on August 8, 1964, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Butte. Their marriage spanned 60 wonderful years.

Helen's career in education began with teaching sixth grade in Las Vegas, Nevada, before returning with her husband to Montana. She taught at Central School in Helena from 1966 to 1970. She then dedicated herself to raising her family. In 1980, Helen joined Action Print, and from 1983 to 1991, she co-owned the business with Mike. She later worked at Blue Cross of Montana until her retirement.

Known for her sparkling wit and sense of humor, Helen cherished time with her family and friends. Every summer included weekend trips to a rustic cabin in York and a trip to Flathead Lake where she delighted in fishing and playing with her children on the shores of Woods Bay. Winters often included trips to Big Sky and Bridger Bowl. Helen did not ski herself, but she marveled as her son, Mick, and daughter, Maura, became accomplished skiers. Helen held court while regaling her children and their friends with stories about growing up in Butte and her other adventures. She was wickedly funny and fiercely pragmatic. Discussions ended promptly when Hellie quietly said, "Oh, bologna," "Go jump in the lake," and in her later years, "Oh, bullshit."

Helen loved bird-watching from her kitchen table facing Mount Helena and at Freezeout Lake during spring and fall migration. She and Mike shared a love for travel. Together they visited Ireland, England, France, and most states in the U.S. She enjoyed their cruises to Alaska and Mexico. They also traveled north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Panama Canal. While their journeys to Hawaii were Helen's favorite, she relished their annual spring road trips to Yellowstone National Park to view wildlife emerging from hibernation.

Helen is survived by her devoted husband, Mike Murray of Helena; her children, Mick Murray of Missoula, Maura Murray (Jim Durkin) of Stevensville, and Jennifer Murray (Justin Roach) of Albany, Oregon; her granddaughters, Nani Murray, Alta, and Opal Murray; and her Irish-twin sister, Mary Kearney (Tom) of San Jose, California, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her uncle, Fr. John Cronin, and her brother, Dr. John Cronin.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Helena, 530 N. Ewing on Tuesday, December 17 at noon, with a burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Andrea, Patrick, and Dereyen McEwen at Sharon's Sunshine Care for the amazing compassionate care Helen received. They also thank The Dementia Support Group for helping Mike. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Helena Food Share or The Lewis and Clark Humane Society.  Simple Cremation Montana has assisted the family.