Helena or Lena Stanaway was born 27 December 1870 (Birth Certificate Unknown) in Tokatoka on the Northern Wairoa River. She was the fifth child born to John James and Sarah Stanaway.

Helena was only three years old when her father died. When Helena was about five her mother married George Sanders. Not much is known about her childhood but we could expect it to be much the same as her siblings and other children living in the area at that time.

The first record we have of her is of her wedding to Patrick Moloughney (Jnr) on 20 March 1892 (Marriage Certificate number 1892/370). She was 21 years old.

Patrick Moloughney (Jnr) was born about 1862 and was the son of Patrick Moloughney (Snr) (1824-1910) and Margaret (Margarita) Tierney (1843-1912), and was born in Ireland.

It was not long that Helena and Patrick had their first child, a son named Patrick (3rd) who was born on 5 September 1892 (registered in Dargaville).

A daughter followed on 10 May 1894, Laura Katherine, followed by William John (Jack) on 7 August 1896. Another daughter, Phoebe Margaret was born on 20 June 1899.

From the 1900 Electoral Roll, we find recorded Patrick (Jnr) and Helena living in Tikinui, Helena listed as domestic duties and Patrick as a storekeeper.

On 13 August 1901 another daughter, Reta Illeen (Eileen) is born.

In the 1905 Electoral Roll we have Helena and Patrick listed at Grahams Fern (in the Kaipara region), Helena as domestic duties and Patrick as a storekeeper.

Helena’s mother Sarah dies in 1908, a year later her husband, Patrick also dies – 30 August 1909. Helena at 38 years old is left a widower with five children to raise.

The New Zealand Herald on 7 September 1909 has the following article;

The remains of the late Mr. Patrick Moloughney, jun., were (writes our Northern Wairoa correspondent) conveyed last Wednesday from Auckland to Dargaville, and deposited in the Church of the Sacred Heart, and from thence were interred at Mount Wesley. The cortage was a lengthy one, representative settlers from all portions of the Northern Wairoa being present. The deceased gentleman had resided for 30 years in North Kaipara, and in addition to his farming interests, successfully carried out large timber contracts. His death is widely deplored.

In 1911 and 1919 on the anniversary of his death, Helena placed memorials in both the Auckland Star and New Zealand Herald to her late husband.

In loving memory of Patrick Moloughney, who departed this life on August 30, 1909. We speak of him who’s gone before, and what he did and said; Till the dead alone seems living, and the living alone seems dead. Inserted by his loving wife and family.

The 1911 Electoral Roll has Helena living in Te Kopuru, on the Northern Wairoa, widow. It is at some time between 1911 and 1919 Helena moves from the Northern Wairoa to Auckland.

The next record we have of Helena is from the 1919 Electoral Roll, where she is listed as living at 58 Valley Road, Mt Eden in Auckland, living at the same address are her children Laura and Patrick (3rd) with William living down the road at number 100.

From the 1928 Electoral Roll we find Helena is now living alone at 27 Waiatarua Road in Parnell, Auckland.

The next record is from the 1935 Electoral Roll where we find she has moved to 34 Upland Road, Parnell, Auckland, where we find her again in the 1938 Electoral Roll.

By the 1963 Electoral Roll she has moved into the Waikato and is living at 167 Great South Road in Hamilton.

It is in Hamilton on 27 September 1963 aged 92 Helena passes away (Death Certificate Number 1963/30425). Her body is returned to the Northern Wairoa where she is buried in the Mt Westley Cemetery just outside Dargaville, Block 3 lot 307 the same plot as her late husband.

The headstone reads;

Helena Moloughney beloved wife of the late Patrick Moloughney, died 27th September 1963 aged 93 years; Patrick beloved husband of Helena Moloughney, died 30th August 1909 aged 47 years.