Obituary of Helen Daisy Smith

BRANT LAKE: Helen Daisy (Persons) Smith, 86 years old, passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 23, 2024 at Elderwood in Ticonderoga, NY.

Helen was born to the late Kenneth and Isadora (Smith) Persons on November 13, 1937, in Bolton Landing, NY. She graduated from Bolton Central School in 1955, where she was the prom queen and took great pride in her time playing the drums in the band.

Helen served as the Town Clerk of Horicon for a term, with the office located within her home. She and her husband, Richard, owned The Gateway restaurant in Wilmington, NY, for over 30 years. Helen also worked as a home health aide throughout the Adirondacks. She dedicated countless hours to her community as a Girl Scout leader and was a founding member of the Horicon Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, serving for over 50 years. Additionally, she was an active member of the Horicon Baptist Church, Horicon Senior Citizens, and completed the Adirondack 102 Club.

When not working or volunteering, Helen enjoyed country music, cake making, bluegrass festivals, and traveling, especially to Hawaii, Alaska, Nashville, Texas, and California. She loved watching NY Yankees baseball, Wheel of Fortune, and was an avid bingo player. However, her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Helen attended all her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s sporting and school events.

Besides her parents and ex-husband of 42 years, Helen is predeceased by brothers James Persons and Wallace “Shorty” Persons; sister Harriet Chamberlain; brother-in-law Bob Newton, nieces Brenda Persons and Roberta French and nephews Artie Persons, Paul Smith, Raymond Chamberlain and Jamie Persons.  

Left to cherish her memory are her children Rick (Cindy) Smith, Tom (Kris Sevrie) Smith, Laurie (Wayne) Kennedy, Christine Hayes, Marilyn Smith, Darlene Smith and Loretta Lynn (Andy) Carpenter; siblings Kenneth (Diane) Persons and Gert Newton; sister-in-law Carolyn Persons; grandchildren Angela, Melissa, Andrew, Wayne Jr., Josh, Karen, Cliff, Jessica, Steven, Krista, Zachary, Austin, Gabrielle, Alexis and Kristian; 20 great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins and her wonderful and caring roommate Jan Ross. 

The family would like to express their profound gratitude to the staff at Elderwood in Ticonderoga for the care and compassion shown to Helen.

In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Helen can be made to: Horicon Fire Department, 6590 State Route 8, P.O. Box 120, Brant Lake, NY 12815 or Horicon Baptist Church, P.O. Box 124, Brant Lake, NY 12815.

Friends may call on Helen’s family from 4pm – 7pm, Friday, July 26, 2024 at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, 11am, at Horicon Baptist Church, 6616 St. Rt. 8, Brant Lake, NY. Burial will follow in South Horicon Cemetery. A reception will follow burial at Horicon Fire Department.

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences, guest book and directions.