Helen M. Merrill Simonson

      “Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Helen M. Simonson, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

       She was the daughter of Adar and Elsie Merrill. Raised in Treadwell, New York, she was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

      As a young girl, Helen was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Helen was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Helen was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Helen also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends. Helen was raised with three siblings. She had two brothers, Melvin and Harold and one sister, Mabel. Helen was constantly involved in activities with her family. Helen and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

      Growing up, Helen was one of those children who didn’t need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. She was content to entertain herself. Helen was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, she was able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. In just about everything she did as a child, Helen was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other children around her. Helen took part in a number of activities as a child. She took part in basketball. She was in band and choir.

      Helen enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Helen was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Helen was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school career. She graduated from A. L. Kellogg High School in 1938. Helen enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Home Economics.

      Most folks would say that Helen was shy until they got to know her. Those who were privileged to know her well learned that she was a solid, good friend. Helen was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. Because of this, Helen best trusted those people that she truly knew. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that she made, Helen kept. While growing up, some of her best friends were Florence White and Betty Schluep. Later in life, she became friends with Peggy Vredenburgh, Helen Smith and Nadine Karns.

      Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Helen. She was totally committed to Helen was married three times to Carl, Leslie and then Marvin and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Helen naturally sensed her spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Helen disliked conflict, she did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

      Helen was a good mother to her children. She had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because she trusted emotions, Helen was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her, always thinking before acting. In addition, Helen was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around her might be, she seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Helen was blessed with seven children, six daughters, Carla, Crystal, Helen, Clara, Evelyn and Mary and one son, Leslie.

      If you gave Helen a deadline, she would meet it. At work, Helen was always on task. Without hesitation, Helen could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. Her primary occupation was business woman, dog and cat breeder and farmer. Helen owned a photography studio, then owned several farms and a heavy industrial equipment company and she also raised champion dogs and cats. During that time, Helen excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. She was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Helen was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Helen had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. She was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

      Helen liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Helen's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Helen preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on her hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were crochetting, quilting and music. Helen was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying her hobbies all by herself and could often be found just reading about her favorite pastimes.

      While thorough and measured in her approach to things, Helen often liked to physically do things rather than just think about them. She was like that with sports. In high school, Helen played Basketball. She also enjoyed the statistical data and the facts behind the sports. In this way, she was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were Baseball.

      Helen was active in the community. She was practical and grounded and based her decisions on first hand experience. She was responsible and liked working to achieve results rather than just chattering about possibilities. Politically, Helen was a strong supporter of the Republican Party.

      An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, her faith was important to Helen. Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in her personal beliefs. She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church, Oneonta. During that time, she was a trustee.

       Helen was as loyal to her pets as they were to her.

       She had taken the time to learn about her various options and chose her course wisely. In retirement, she found new pleasure in Saturday lunches with her children. Even in retirement, Helen continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

      Helen passed away on April 5, 2015 at Oneonta, New York. Helen died from old age and complications of a fractured hip. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Services were held at First United Presbyterian Church of Oneonta, New York. Helen was laid to rest in Oneonta Plains Cemetery, Oneonta, New York.

      It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Helen was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Helen was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical. Helen Simonson was very literal with her words. You always knew where you stood with Helen. She will be missed.

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Helen M. Simonson, 94, of Oneonta, passed away peacefully into the fullness of eternal life on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015.

She was born on December 23, 1920 in Horton, NY, the daughter of the late Adar E. and Elsie C. (Couch) Merrill. Helen graduated from A.L. Kellogg High School in Treadwell.

Helen was a local businesswoman. She owned and operated Photography by Helen in Margaretville, was part owner of several farms in the greater Oneonta area, and then later in life Helen became a co-owner/operator of Able Equipment Company on Oneonta’s Southside.

Throughout her life, animals were always one of Helen’s greatest joys. She was an accomplished breeder of champion Siamese cats and Pekingese dogs, and various other breeds. She also loved to work in her vegetable and flower gardens, and enjoyed quilting and crocheting.

Helen was a member and trustee of the First United Presbyterian Church of Oneonta.

She is survived by her children, Carla Alarcon, Crystal Carson, Leslie (Sheri) Frazier II, Helen (Donald) Chamberlain, Clara Frazier Williams, Evelyn (Michael) Frazier-Kesel, and Mary (Bruce) Wrench; her step-children, James Frazier, Barbara (Kendall) Burdick, and Joanne (Roger) Wilms; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Helen was predeceased by her first husband, Carl Faunce; her second husband, Leslie Frazier; and her third husband, Marvin Simonson.

A Celebration of Helen’s life will take place at 1pm on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at the First United Presbyterian Church, 2 Walling Avenue, Oneonta, with the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Walton-Leavitt officiating.

Friends and family may visit at the church from 12pm-1pm prior to the service at which time Helen’s family will receive guests. Helen will be laid to rest in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Helen’s family requests that you kindly consider making a donation in her memory to the First United Presbyterian Church, 2 Walling Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820.