ALBANY—Helen Frances Laraway, 87, of Greenport, passed away Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Born June 20, 1923 in Philmont, she was the daughter of Lottie and Sidney Haun.
Mrs. Laraway grew up in Philmont and graduated from Philmont High School. She worked in the office at High Rock Mills and later became one of Dave Strain’s Office Girls. She was a cheerleader at the Crusader Club, where her future husband played basketball.
After a short stay in Atlantic City as an Army wife, Mrs. Laraway lived at her Lorenz Park home for last 60 years.
She was a teller at the Farmers National Bank and the State Bank of Albany. She also worked in the office of the Hudson Glue Factory, as a bookkeeper and salesperson at Singer Sewing Center, and as a receptionist at the office of Drs. Silverstein and Schierman.
Mrs. Laraway enjoyed her friends at Christ Church, especially Father John and Lois Haun; her Fortnightly Club meetings with her committee, and the Greenport Senior Citizens group.
She also enjoyed being the unofficial bookkeeper at the Rosery Flower Shop, the family business for 30 years. She was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes and baked for the Columbia Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
Gus Kramer once reported in his social column that Mrs. Laraway was the look alike of actress Rhonda Fleming. Her family thought she looked more like Barbara Stanwyck. She will be missed by neighbors, family and animals.
Mrs. Laraway is survived by her son, Bill, of Kinderhook, and his wife, Jayne; five grandchildren, Sarah SanEmeterio of Greene County, Courtney Osborne of Freeville, Mac and O’Malley Hester Laraway of Kinderhook, and Nicole Patrick, and four great-grandchildren, Drew and Molly SanEmeterio, Bailey Ray Osborne, and Jayden Couse.
She was predeceased by her husband, Herbert “Terry”, her daughter, Kathleen Patrick, and her sister, Althea Race.
Arrangements were with the Bates & Anderson—Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home.
Funeral services were at Christ Church Episcopal. Interment was in the Mellenville Union Cemetery.