Kunkemoeller, Helen T. (nee Overbeck) of Buffalo, entered into rest on June 24, 2026. Beloved wife of the late Paul A. Kunkemoeller; devoted mother of Paul (Bernadette) Kunkemoeller, Joseph Kunkemoeller, James (Maria) Kunkemoeller, Ruth (Thomas) McManus, Mary (Raymond) Wolfe, William (Jane) Kunkemoeller and the late Maria and Regina Kunkemoeller; cherished grandmother of Kathleen (Christopher) Gahl, James (Anne-Pryor) Kunkemoeller, Megan (Robert) Muchow, Rejeanna Wolfe, Matthew Kunkemoeller, Britta Kunkemoeller, Molly Ferron, Daniel McManus, Mark McManus, Lucas Kunkemoeller and Abby Kunkemoeller; loving great-grandmother of Tessa, Andrew, Arya, Peter, Penelope, James, Eleanor, Viktor and Lena; beloved daughter of the late John and Eva Overbeck; sister of the late John M. (Annabelle) Overbeck, Sister Mary Perpetua Overbeck, Ruth Overbeck and Mary (Edward) Bedinghaus; also loved by her nieces, nephews and friends.

Helen, a devoted wife, mother, educator, and woman of deep faith, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1933, Helen spent her childhood in the city she cherished and carried its values of family, faith, and service with her throughout her life.

In 1955, Helen married the love of her life, Paul Kunkemoeller, beginning a partnership that would span decades and provide the foundation for a loving and faith-filled family. Helen earned her Bachelor's degree from Our Lady of Cincinnati, now part of Xavier University, an achievement that reflected her lifelong commitment to education and learning.

As Paul’s career and family life evolved, Helen and Paul moved their growing family from Cincinnati to Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and then to Vermilion, Ohio, before ultimately settling in Buffalo, New York. There they raised their six children, creating a warm and welcoming home centered on faith, education, and unconditional love.

Helen’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life and sustained her through every joy and challenge. Since 1968, she was a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish in Buffalo, where she found spiritual strength, community, and purpose.

A passionate advocate for Catholic education, Helen dedicated more than 30 years of her professional life to teaching at St. Teresa School in Buffalo. She touched the lives of countless students with her patience, wisdom, and encouragement, helping to shape generations of young people both academically and spiritually. Her commitment to Catholic education extended beyond the classroom. Through sacrifice, determination, and unwavering dedication, she ensured that all six of her children received a quality Catholic education, a gift that would influence their lives for years to come.

Helen will be remembered for her steadfast faith, her devotion to her family, her gentle spirit, and her belief in the transformative power of education. Her legacy lives on in the lives of her children, grandchildren, former students, and all who were blessed to know her. All who knew her will miss her dearly but take comfort in the example of faith, love, and service she leaves behind.

May she rest in the peace of Christ, whom she faithfully followed throughout her life.

Relatives and friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Southtowns Chapel) 3060 Abbott Rd. near Lake Ave. on Sunday (June 28) from 2-5 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 3148 Abbott Rd., Orchard Park on Monday morning at 10 o’clock. Please assemble at Church. Entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BISON Children's Scholarship Fund https://bisonfund.org/ or Literacy Buffalo Niagara https://literacybuffalo.org/. Online condolences may be offered at www.lombardofuneralhome.com