Obituary of Helen M. Knowlton

GOUVERNEUR- Helen M. Knowlton, age 85, of Gouverneur, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at her home under the loving care of her family and St. Lawrence Valley Hospice. Calling hours for Helen will be on Wednesday from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. Her funeral service will be on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at French Funeral Home with Rev. Beth Quick officiating. Burial will follow at Hailesboro Cemetery. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Helen was born on October 19, 1932 in Gouverneur, NY to the late John M. and Marion (Spicer) Andrews. She graduated from Gouverneur Central School in 1949. Helen married William L. Knowlton on April 29, 1950 at the Gouverneur Methodist Church. William passed away on July 7, 2001. From 1954-1967 Bill and Helen were dairy farmers at their home on Delphi Road in Antwerp. During this time, she also worked for McAllister Fuels. From there they moved to Gouverneur and built the Country Lane Mobile Home Park and Store and later the Jolly K Mobile Home Park. She began working as the head bookkeeper and later a Senior Customer Representative at the (St. Lawrence National Bank)/Gouverneur Community Bank, retiring in 1990. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Helen and Bill enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and spending winters in their home in Lakeland, FL. They were passionate about their antique cars, attending shows and driving in the annual Gouverneur parade. Mom was happiest when surrounded by her loving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed dancing, country music, the Yankees, fishing, camping, going to her grandchildren's sporting events, popcorn and especially chocolate. Surviving are four sons and one daughter, Lyle W. (Susan) of North Field, NH, Michael P. (Kathy) of Gouverneur, Bruce W. (Carolyn) of Lycoming, NY, Christine A. (Joseph) Grant of Palm Coast, FL and Randy L. (Alicia) of Gouverneur, with whom she shared a home for the last three years; 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; a brother, Murray Andrews of Gouverneur, and a sister, Marjorie Cole of Antwerp. She was predeceased by her husband, William, brothers John Andrews of South Colton and William Andrews of Gouverneur, and a sister, June Kammerer, of Missoula, MT. Donations may be made in her memory to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 US HWY 11, Potsdam NY 13676, the Gouverneur Fire Department, 33 Clinton St, Gouverneur NY 13642 or the Gouverneur Rescue Squad, PO Box 164, Gouverneur NY 13642.