Helen Mary Greenwood, 101, of Camillus, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2020, from natural causes at The Athenaeum of Skaneateles. She grew up on a small dairy farm at the top of “Gulf Hill” on the eastern outskirts of Skaneateles. Helen was a 1934 graduate of Skaneateles High School and a 1938 graduate of Syracuse Normal School. Her first teaching assignment was at the Thorne Schoolhouse in Skaneateles, which she attended as a child, and she taught briefly in Elmira Heights, N.Y., during the war years. She subsequently received her bachelor’s degree in education from Syracuse University, was married in 1960, and moved to Camillus in 1962. The greatest joy in Helen’s life was her son, who was born in 1965 when she was 47. She was an exceptionally proud and loving mother. Helen retired from the Syracuse City School District in 1978 after a 37-year career, primarily as a third-grade teacher. Helen was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church, the New York State Teachers’ Retirement Assn. and the Onondaga County Teachers’ Retirement Assn.
Helen was the definition of a “Greatest Generation” member; kind, unassuming and humble to a fault. She had extraordinary drive, tenacity and resilience, which she demonstrated to the very end. Helen was “built to last,” and was blessed with 37,155 days of life! Always adventurous, she traveled across the country in 1950 with her “teaching gals,” and enjoyed taking several cruises into her 90’s. She was an avid New York Yankees and Syracuse Orange fan.
Helen loved all things in nature, especially cats, birds and flowers.
Helen was a devoted wife who cared for her husband James D. Greenwood, until his death in 2003.
Surviving are her son, James and daughter-in-law, Nancy of Skaneateles.
Helen received extraordinary care and love from all of the staff at The Athenaeum of Skaneateles, which directly resulted in the outstanding quality of her life during the last eight and a half years.
Burial will be private. Helen will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen’s name to the CNY SPCA, 5878 East Molloy Rd., Syracuse, NY 13211 or to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. Alternately, she can be remembered by reciting her favorite poem “September” by Helen Hunt Jackson and recalling a fond memory of her.
Share condolences at buranichfh.com.
