Helen B. McDonald, 85, Reynolds Road, Alexandria Bay, passed away peacefully Wednesday night, October 18, 2017 at Samaritan Medical Center surrounded by family and friends.
Helen was born on May 4, 1932 in Watertown, the daughter of Karl M. and Helen Finney Bunce. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1949 at age 17 and then received her teaching degree from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio (1953). She began teaching at Dexter Elementary School from 1953-57 and, after having her children returned to teaching at Clayton Elementary, teaching in the Thousand Islands school district from 1969 until her retirement in 1988. After her retirement, she became an active genealogist tracing her family back to the 1600’s.
On August 22, 1953, Helen married Kenneth G. McDonald son of Kenneth T. and Mildred Deugaw McDonald at Emmanuel Congregational Church in Watertown with Howard Boardman officiating.
She was active in a variety of community activities including Study Club, WSCS, Sunday school teacher, and Girl Scouts. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star, the NYS Teachers’ Retirement System, and the NNY & CNY Genealogical Society. She was happiest when her family was all together.
Helen is survived by her husband of 64 years Kenneth; daughter, Elizabeth L. McDonald and her daughter, Sarah, North Syracuse; sons, Steven K., wife Nancy and sons Joshua and Kyle and Michael R., wife Leslie and sons Jon and P.J. as well as five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Two children, Stanley K. and Amy L. McDonald, pre-deceased her, as well as two brothers, Jack and Theodore Bunce.
She is also survived by her brother Roy K. Bunce (Vicki Deal) and her sisters-in-law Joyce(Jack) Ulrich and Carole Bunce Dingman.
The family is so very grateful for the love and support of her caregivers Pam, Melinda, JoAnn, Petra, Maria, Ellen, Hanna and her nurse Terry that allowed her to remain in her own home.
A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church, Alexandria Bay, at 2:00 on Saturday, October28, 2017, followed by a celebration of life at the American Legion in Alexandria Bay from 3-5. Burial for Helen and her son Stanley will be private at the convenience of the family at Union Cemetery, Adams Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alexandria Bay Fire Department who have been exceptionally caring during her ongoing illnesses.
Arrangements are with Costello Funeral Service, Alexandria Bay.