Helen (Wells) Parker

Born in Saranac Lake on Nov. 4, 1915, she was the daughter of Truman and Gertrude (Patnode) Wells.

Mrs. Parker was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake. She was employed as a housekeeper and worked for families in Saranac Lake. In the twilight of her life, she volunteered at North Star Industries for 17 years and, at one time, was the second oldest volunteer in New York state. She received plaques from the governor’s office as well as many other accolades for her service. As she would personally tell anyone, she did what she did not for the accolades but because she truly cared for her fellow human beings in need of her help … a lesson we all should emulate.

She was predeceased by her husband, Harold E. Parker, on May 6, 1976. She was also predeceased by her father Truman Wells; her mother Gertrude Patnode; brothers Edward Wells, Harold “Pug” Wells, Robert “Toot” Wells, Truman “Bucky” Wells Jr. and sister Violet Bliss; and also her constant companion, her Shih Tzu, Buffy.

She is survived by her daughter Shirley Claremont of Rainbow Lake, her daughter Peggy LeVrier and husband Wayne of Laporte, Texas, her son Harold E. “Park” Parker Jr. and his wife Shelley of Morrisonville, her sister Marion Sears of Oswego and her brother Clifford “Kip” Wells and wife Greta of Lake Placid, along with several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake. A funeral service will follow at the St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Saranac Lake at 11 a.m. The Rite of Committal will take place at a later date at the family plot in the North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the CVPH 6 Main Skilled Nursing Foundation, 75 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at forutunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

Helen Parker was indeed a wonderful woman with a heart of gold, a smart wit, honest to a fault, who will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving her.