Helena Christina Cooksley-Morales

Helena C. Cooksley-Morales, 90 years young, passed away on June 20th, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family.

Helena was born in 1935 to the late Thomas and Helena (Brennan) Rafter in County Kildare, Ireland.  In 1955 Helena decided to immigrate to America where she found a home in Illinois.

Helena was an active person and loved to live life.   To say that Helena was adventurous is an understatement.  She loved to travel, mostly by train, to destinations across the United States of America.  Many of her train destinations ended at a port of call where Helena and her husband, Philip, would set sail on a cruise ship sailing up and down each coast.   She also loved to fly to Texas where she celebrated Christmases and graduations with her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren and extended family.  Helena loved to stay active so when her and Philip were not traveling, she could be found playing golf in the summer, skiing down a hill in the winter, out on a walk enjoying the great outdoors, or down in the common area where she could be found playing a game of bridge with whoever would join her.

Helena is survived by her husband, Philip Morales, and two children: Charles (Koy) Cooksley and Erin (Dale) Trevino.  Four grandchildren: Caitlin Stegent, Kelly Trevino, Connor Trevino, and Jasmine Cooksley along with three great grandchildren: Spencer and Carter Stegent, and Briggs Trevino and one brother Patrick Rafter, plus a host of family in Ireland, England, Wales and the United States will all remember and honor Helena’s legacy.  Helena was proceeded in death by her parents Thomas and Helena and her five siblings: Louis, Thomas (Chris), Maura, Nancy, and Rita.

A funeral mass will be held for Helena on Friday June 27th, 2025, at 12:00pm at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church.  Burial at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery will immediately follow the mass.

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting Helena’s family.