Obituary of Jean Helthaler

Jean “Gummy” Helthaler passed away on March 9, 2016, joining her late husband and best friend, John F. Helthaler and much loved late daughter, Alison J. Helthaler McCarthy. Jean was born July 5, 1930 to the late John and Mary Patryn, in Bayonne, NJ. As a young woman she caught the eye of a tall dark haired man from New York at a wedding they both attended. The smitten young man left his own date to court Jean and they later married. Jean and John lived with her parents in New Jersey, but dreamed of building their own home in the Catskills. They enjoyed planning their future over pots of coffee and peanut butter and jelly smothered crackers. For over a decade they traveled between Wallington, NJ and Woodbourne, NY on weekends and summer vacations to build a house with their two children. Jean enjoyed creating a home rich with the colonial touches she loved. In later years she spent many happy days shopping and traveling with her daughter, being “Gummy” to her grandchildren, painting with the Studio Monday Art Group, volunteering for the Townsman, attending the Grahamsville United Methodist Church and working their thrift sales, playing cards with friends, walking her cat, and sipping hot cups of coffee while reading the paper with her son and daughter-in-law on Sunday mornings. Jean’s smile and penchant for wide-ranging conversations will be greatly missed by her son Chris Helthaler, daughter-in-law Margaret Helthaler, grandchildren Ashley McCarthy (and fiancé Alex Dudek), Gavin DuBois and Julie Helthaler, her nieces and nephews, in-laws Robert and Lillie Helthaler, her many friends, and her cat Teddy. Jean was predeceased by her sister, Wladyslawa Patryn Pelka and her brother Tadewsz Patryn. A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 3 pm at the Grahamsville United Methodist Church, State Route 55, Grahamsville, NY 12740. Pastor Peggy Ann Sauerhoff will officiate. Since Jean’s favorite color was beige, guests are invited to dress accordingly. In lieu of flowers the family humbly requests donations be made in her name to the Grahamsville United Methodist Church, PO Box 86, Grahamsville, NY 12740. Arrangements were made with Colonial-Bryant Funeral Home & Cremation Services. For further details please visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com or call (845) 434-7363.