Helena: The Song Written at a Funeral
Who Is Helena?
Helena is not a fictional character. She was a real woman named Elena Lee Rush . Friends and family called her Helen, and she was the grandmother of Gerard and Mikey Way .
She wasn't just a relative. Elena taught Gerard how to paint. She taught him how to sing. She bought him his first car — the white van that later appeared in the "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" video .
In 2002, she attended one of the band's early shows. It was the first and last live performance she ever saw .
The Tragedy
In 2003, Elena passed away . Gerard and Mikey were on tour. They couldn't be there for her final year .
