Helen Wells

Helen M. Wells, age 88, formerly of 60 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY, died on Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at Schuyler Ridge Residential Health Care in Clifton Park, NY.

Born in Norfolk, New York, on June 22, 1923, she was the daughter of Clarence and Frances (Sweet) Snyder. She married Truman “Bucky” Wells on September 17, 1966, in Juarez, Mexico. He predeceased her on January 4, 1990.

Mrs. Wells attended and graduated from Brushton High School in 1942. She moved to Saranac Lake in August 1945 from Schenectady, NY, where she had worked at General Electric. After moving to Saranac Lake, Mrs. Wells was employed at Woolworth's, Newberry's, Leonard's, Town and Country, American Management Association, and S. Curtis Hayes Inc., working there for 25 years, until her retirement in 1989. Following her retirement from S. Curtis Hayes, she worked at the ARC, Trudeau Road and the Adirondack Park Agency. Mrs. Wells was an avid bingo player. In 1992, she received a plaque honoring her as St. Bernard's School Volunteer of the Year. She also was a volunteer coordinator of St. Bernard's School Bingo. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary #3357, and Parents Educators Association. She is survived by her sister, Katherine Weinhold of Schenectady, NY, her brother-in-law, Harold Priddle of Clifton Park, NY, her devoted nieces, Agnes (Elias) Woitovich, Alma (Paul) Laramie, JoAnn Rubinski, Jeanne (Keith) Favreau, Robin (Mark) Schon, and Joan (Gary) Gray, as well as many great nieces and nephews and her friends and caregivers at Schuyler Ridge. Her foster daughter, Tina Rabideau Culver and her grandchildren Meaghan and Taylor also survive. She was preceded in death by her father Clarence Snyder, her mother Frances (Sweet) Snyder, her sisters Hazel Rubinski, Ruth Priddle, and Mary Rabideau, and her brothers Lyle Snyder and Daniel Snyder.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Friday, February 17, 2012 from 3:00 - 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial is set to take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday at St. Bernard's Church, with Rev. Mark Reilly officiating. Burial will take place at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Friends wishing to remember Helen M. Wells may make memorial contributions to St. Bernard's School, Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Schuyler Ridge Activities Department in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.