Greenwich, New York – Helen M. Saunders, 81, of Greenwich passed away Wednesday morning, Nov. 17, 2021, at Saratoga Hospital, with her family by her side.
Born Aug. 17, 1940, in Bennington, Vermont, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Edna (Greene) Bruso.
Helen was a housewife for many years and then went on to work for Orvis Company as a rod maker and worked a postmaster in Rupert, Vermont, for 24 years, from which she retired.
Family was everything to Helen. She cherished every moment she had with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She also was an active member of Modern Woodmen of America in Wells, Vermont, since 1989, where she religiously worked bingo most Thursdays and Sundays. She enjoyed camping, bingo, going to the casino, baseball games, Siena basketball games and game shows. She also enjoyed quality time with three of her grandchildren – Mya, Bryce and Baylor – with whom she lived.
Helen is survived by her children Brenda Myer and her husband Philip of Granville, New York; Wanda Sheldon and her husband David of Manchester Center, Vermont; Lindy Decker and her husband Jeff of Hernando, Florida; Anna Rumrill and her husband Allen of Hebron, New York; Patricia Baker and her husband Phil of Wallingford, Vermont; Nancy Greene and her husband Vince of Hebron; Eugene Saunders and his companion Natasha of West Pawlet, Vermont; Brian Saunders and his wife Kim of Grove City, Pennsylvania; and Brad Saunders and his wife Meghan of Greenwich. In addition, Helen is survived by her aunts Anne Moffitt of East Arlington, Vermont, and Nancy Havis of West Moreland. Helen also is survived by 38 grandchildren, 65 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren along with several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and lots of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Helen also is predeceased by her husband of 50 years Ronald E Saunders, her brother Francis “Bubby” Bruso, and her granddaughter Sarah Rumrill.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 26, in the new section of Evergreen Cemetery in Salem, New York. A reception will be held at the Modern Woodmen of America, 61 MWA Loop, Wells, Vermont, following the graveside service.
Memorial contributions in memory of Helen may be made to the Modern Woodmen of America, PO Box 648, Wells, VT 05774, Easton-Greenwich Rescue Squad, PO Box 84, Greenwich, NY 12834 or Salem Rescue Squad, PO Box 360, Salem, NY 12865.
To share a memory of Helen, please visit gariepyfuneralhomes.com.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, Inc., 19 E. Broadway, Salem, New York.
