- April 27, 2026
Helene Mary Read, age 70, of Palm Coast, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2026, after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. A devoted wife, mother, sister, friend, and community leader, she remained the steadfast heart of her family until the very end.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 13, 1956, to Norman Finnegan and Dorothy McLaughlin, Helene (Finnegan) spent her formative years in Greenwood Lake, New York. Her childhood was defined by the freedom of the outdoors – playing in the woods and by the water with lifelong friends. After attending Catholic school, she went on to study journalism at Rider College.
Her professional journey took her to New York City, where she built a successful career in advertising and media buying. However, it was a transition to her father’s restaurant in NYC that changed her life forever. It was there that she met the love of her life, John Read, a chef who had been hired by her stepmother, Maureen Finnegan.
Family was the cornerstone of Helene’s life. Together with John, she raised three children – Rebecca, Alana, and Andrew. The family spent their years between New York and Florida, operating several family-owned restaurants. Later in life, she found a special calling as a substitute teacher. She loved spending time with children, frequently volunteering to read to students in local elementary schools.
In Palm Coast, Helene was a pillar of Trinity Presbyterian Church, serving with purpose and heart as both an Elder and a Deacon. She raised her children within the church, teaching them the values of faith, service, and community. Helene spent many summers in the mountains of North Carolina, leading high schoolers in meaningful discussions at Montreat Conference Center.
To those who knew her, Helene was a force – a sharp mind who cared deeply about others and the world. She found joy in a perfect cup of coffee with a pastry, her signature Southern Comfort Old Fashioned, the music of Carole King and Billy Joel, and watching Lost and General Hospital. An adventurous traveler, she explored the world, from her honeymoon in Portugal to her favorite villages in the Cotswolds of England, and created lasting memories with her family on cruises. Above all, she wanted the world for her children and grandchildren. She was their fiercest advocate, their steady support, and their greatest love.
Helene is survived by her husband, John Read; her children, Rebecca Read, Alana (and Eric) Nanz, and Andrew Read; her beloved granddaughters, Charlotte Read, Amelia Nanz, and Clara Nanz; and her brothers, Timothy and Norman Finnegan and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Harold.
Service Information: Sunday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m., at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 156 Florida Park Drive N., Palm Coast, Florida, 32137
Memorial Tributes: The family welcomes flowers for the service at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Alternatively, a memorial donation may be made in Helene’s honor to Community Hospice & Palliative Care or the Alzheimer’s Association.
