By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

PARK HILLS - Helen Margaret Daly was named United Way Volunteer of the Year in 2000 for her work with Catholic Social Services in Northern Kentucky, where she had volunteered since 1981.

Throughout her life, even when she moved across the world with her husband, a retired lieutenant colonel in the military, her faith - and willingness to help - endured.

As the president of the Military Council of Catholic Women, she represented the women of the U.S. military overseas at the Vatican Third World Conference in 1967. And she traveled throughout Europe in that capacity.

Mrs. Daly died of cancer Saturdayat her home in Park Hills. She was 82.

"She was feisty and passionate. She wasn't afraid of having a minority opinion and was an advocate who cared very deeply for others," said her son Hugh F. "Trey" Daly III of Paddock Hills. "She and my father were known as entertainers, and she was very gracious and hospitable.

She was an excellent cook. In fact, we made a cookbook of all of her recipes, called The Book of Helen.

Born and raised in Boston, she met her future husband, Hugh F. Daly Jr., while she was working in the information booth at Boston's South Station during World War II.

He was working at the station's cafeteria.

After the two were married, and Mr. Daly began his career in the military, she shepherded her family from Boston to San Francisco and Germany, among other places.

The family moved to Lexington in 1972, and Mrs. Daly took graduate-level courses at Lexington Theological Seminary.

Two years later they moved to Park Hills.

A longtime member of Mother of God Church in Covington, Mrs. Daly was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Brereton Jones in 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, she was also an avid bridge player.

Besides her son and husband, survivors include: five daughters, Mary Daly of New York, Nancy and Sheila Daly of Erlanger, Kathy Daly of Methwold, England, and Eileen Daly of London, England; another son, James Daly of East Hampton, N.Y.; and six grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Mother of God Catholic Church, 119 W. 6th St., Covington.

Mass of Christian burial will follow.

Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hugh F. Daly Jr. Christ Hospital Human Needs Fund, 2139 Auburn Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45219.

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E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com