Helen Alberta Simino | Visitation:
Friday, September 26, 2008
6:00 PM until 8:00 PM
Ready Funeral & Cremation Services
South Chapel
Burlington, VT 05401
Service:
Saturday, September 27, 2008
10:30 AM
The First Congregational Church
38 South Winooski Avenue
Burlington, VT
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| | | Helen Alberta Simino
BURLINGTON – Helen (Whipple) Simino, 93, formerly of Irasburg, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, at Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center, after failing health. She was born July 16, 1915, in Newport Center, Vermont, daughter of the late Don and Zetta (Armstrong) Whipple.
Helen graduated from Newport Center High School in 1933, and was proud to be in their alumni association. After her marriage to Eugene Simino, she lived on a small farm in Irasburg and worked many years in the local general store, while raising her sons and serving on several town, school and church committees.
She moved to Burlington in 1960 to become the first housemother for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. In 1961, she started working at the University of Vermont food service, Saga (later to become Marriott and Sodexo). She loved her 40+ years at UVM, particularly the last 10 or so when she served as hostess at Billings Student Center dining room where she affectionately acquired the "title" as "Campus Grandmother." She always spoke fondly of her co-workers and professors, but particularly the students who she loved to hug. In 2000, she received an honorary degree from the university, and this recognition thrilled her. From 1966 to 1987, she also provided rooms in her home for Champlain College students whom she also loved. From 2001 to 2006, Helen lived independently in her apartment at Fern Hill, playing cards 5 nights a week with many of her friends there.
During her years in Burlington, she learned to drive, and with a couple of friends visited every town in Vermont, joining the "251 Club," and then visiting every covered bridge in Vermont. She loved this independence and the joy of visiting her sons and other relatives when she wanted.
Helen was a member of The First Congregational Church in Burlington and Bethany Chapter 71 Eastern Star in Essex Junction.
She leaves her sons, Larry T. Simino and wife, Connie, of Addison and Darrell W. Simino and wife, Elizabeth, of Westborough, Massachusetts; granddaughters Sarah Lynn and husband, Greg Lee, of Blacksburg, Virginia, Amy Louise and her husband, David Blattner III, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Julie Anne and her husband, Michael Talmadge, of Greenwich, New York; grandson Andrew Bradford Simino and wife, Catherine, of Franklin, Massachusetts; great grandsons Bradford David and Jonathan William Blattner; great granddaughter Isabelle Helen Simino; sisters, Donna Krupp of Swanton, and Leah Hansen and husband, Ken, of Newbury; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Helen was predeceased by her infant daughter, brother Ross Whipple, and brother-in-law Don Krupp.
The family extends sincere thanks to Mom’s longtime friend and physician, Dr. Mark Pitcher, and to Deb Gauthier and the entire care staff at Burlington Health and Rehab for the wonderful care she received over the past two years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alpha Gamma Rho Alumni Association (House Improvement Fund), c/o Wally Rooney, 5 Mountain View Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403, or Champlain College Support-a-Student Scholarship Fund, 163 South Willard St., P.O. Box 670, Burlington, VT 05401.
Ready Funeral Home, Burlington, is assisting with the arrangements. Visiting hours will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, September 26, at the Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington. The funeral service will be held at The First Congregational Church, 38 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 27. A private burial service will be at the Newport Center Cemetery in Newport Center, Vermont, in the afternoon. To send online condolences to the family please visit www.readyfuneral.com.
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