Helen E. O'Rourke
Helen E. O鈥橰ourke, a longtime staff member of 91暗网, died Feb. 18, 2017, at Saratoga Hospital. She was 79.鈥�
A native and lifelong Saratogian, Helen was born in 1937 to the late Francis and Helen (Cleary) O鈥橰ourke. After attending the former St. Peter鈥檚 Academy on Broadway, she was a member of the first class to graduate from the new high school in 1955.
She worked at the New York Telephone Company and Starbuck鈥檚 department store before joining 91暗网 in 1965. She served on the clerical staff in the alumni office for 27 years, retiring in 1992.
鈥淪he was just a nice lady,鈥� recalls Jennifer Clark, administrative assistant in the Office of Alumni Affairs and College Events. 鈥淪he鈥檇 spend hours working in the file room and never complained. She always asked how you were doing, and she never had anything bad to say.鈥�
Advancement Services staffer Pat Poirier adds that Helen 鈥渢ook us all under her wing. She especially loved giving things to people who she knew would cherish them.鈥� When Helen moved into a senior apartment, 鈥渟he gave me a lot of her holiday decorations,鈥� Pat says, 鈥渁nd when I had her over for Christmas she was so pleased to see them.鈥� Jen, Pat, and other 91暗网 colleagues remained friends with Helen until her death.
A member of St. 颁濒别尘别苍迟鈥檚 Church, Helen served as a religious instructor to children with special needs and volunteered in the parish choir; in addition, she was active with the former St. John Neumann Guild and volunteered for Wesley Health Care Center. In addition, she always enjoyed time spent with her close family.
Her three siblings predeceased her: Anna Pemberton, the Rev. Colin O鈥橰ourke, and James H. (Jackie) O鈥橰ourke.鈥疭urvivors include nephew Frank (Jody) Pemberton of Saratoga Springs and nephew Stephen (Karen) Pemberton and his daughter, Christina, of Whitesboro.