Helen M. Donaldson

Helen M. Donaldson Obituary

Whitehall- Helen M. Donaldson- It is with profound sadness that we say “farewell for now”, to our beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend. For many years, Helen courageously battled the obstacles that were sent her way. However, she did not let these obstacles stop her from enjoying life.  From attending her grandchildren’s special events to her most recent puzzle club of friends, Helen did everything she could to make people laugh and show kindness towards them.

Helen remained “21” to us, for so many years. She was born to the late Anna Parron and Francis Parron in Rutland, Vermont. Her step-father, Leon “Num” Aubin also played a special role in her upbringing. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Frances Parron and her sister Patty Walters.

Helen is survived by her husband, William who she married on September 24, 1966. Together they had 2 children Tim Donaldson (Kayla) of Fort Edward and Sherry Cummings (Dave) of Queensbury. She deeply loved her grandchildren:  Cara, Cassie, Willow, Piper, Sawyer and Jack (Tim) and Alexis and Christina (Sherry). Helen also adored her many nieces and nephews.

She was a 1965 graduate of Whitehall Jr-Sr High School, but had spent many of her school years attending school in Fair Haven, Vermont. She was a “Jack-of-all Trades'' having worked at many different places. Some of her favorites include: Simmon’s Precision Products in Fair Haven, The Tasty Freeze in Whitehall, The Movie Store in Whitehall and Bartender at The Skene Valley Country Club in Whitehall. 

Helen developed an enjoyment and skill for putting puzzles together.  She was especially proud of putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle named, “The Tiniest Puzzle in the World”. She acquired an extensive collection of puzzles and established a “puzzle club” of friends, through which she would trade puzzles. Helen enjoyed watching t.v. shows that include: “Judge Judy”, “Press Your Luck” and “The Good Doctor”. She also enjoyed watching many of the shows on “The Discovery Network”, often stating that she could survive “out in the wild” if she needed to. Her favorite pastimes were: fishing, gardening and building things. Helen enjoyed making new friends and would befriend anyone she met. She was a good talker, storyteller and she loved to listen and be there for others. Helen loved listening to music and dancing to her favorite song, “This Girl is on Fire!” by Alicia Keys.

Our family would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful Caregivers at Glens Falls Hospital ICU and the Infusion Center Staff. They cared for Helen like she was family and we will be forever grateful for the love and support they showed her. We would also like to thank her wonderful neighbors and clergy staff for tending to any needs she had. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to, “The Skenesborough Rescue Squad”. Donations can be sent directly to them.

Family and friends may call from 1-3PM and 5-7PM on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at the Jillson Funeral Home Inc., 46 Williams St, Whitehall, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11AM on Thursday February 22, 2024 at the Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church in Whitehall, NY, with Father Zachariah Chichester presiding. 

Burial will be in the spring.

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