Maria Pero Helmly August 24, 1928 - March 18, 2024

Miami, Florida - Maria “Obie” Helmly, age 95, of Miami, Florida, sadly departed from us and this world on March 18, 2024, to continue her journey onward. Maria was a Miami native and descended from a wellknown pioneer family in the city. Her grandfather, John B. Reilly, was elected as the first Mayor of Miami in 1896, and her great-grandfather, Joseph A. McDonald, who oversaw the building of all of Henry Flagler’s Florida hotels, constructed Miami’s first luxury and iconic hotel (The Royal Palm Hotel) in 1897 on the north bank of the Miami River.

Maria attended Stephens College in Missouri and graduated from the University

of Miami. She was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority’s Upsilon Delta Chapter for the last 75 years, as well as the Junior League of Miami for many years. She also contributed to several charitable, civic, wildlife, and environmental causes and was an avid bird watcher.

Maria is survived by her son, Charles Helmly III, and her daughter, Susan Helmly, and leaves behind four grandchildren: Kathryn Perez, Jennifer Wickhorst, Alison Smith, and Keith Helmly, as well as seven great-grandchildren.

Maria will always be remembered by her family and friends as one of the most compassionate, understanding, kind, witty, generous, and amusing people they have ever known. Her favorite pastimes included spending time and dining with her friends and family members. All those who knew and loved her will truly miss her.

The Caballero Rivero Woodlawn South Cemetery & Funeral Home, located at 11655 S.W. 117 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33186, will host a public service and burial on April 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.