Carthage

Helen M. Ormiston, 85, died Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility in Lowville where she has resided for two years.

Helen was born April 3, 1931 in Potsdam, the daughter of the late Leon E. "Tiger" and Anne (Chase) Maine. She was a 1949 graduate of Carthage High School. She married Ray L. Ormiston on November 20, 1949 at the Carthage United Methodist Church. She worked for Crown Zellerbach for 6 years and Climax MFG in the Data Processing Dept. and as Credit Manager for the Packaging Div. and Board Mill, retiring in April of 1993. She later was a clerk for Porters Liquor Store in Carthage. Ray Ormiston died on January 3, 1970.


Helen was a former Chairman and Treasurer of the Wilna-Champion Transportation Assoc., former Secretary-Treasurer of Hillside Cemetery in Natural Bridge and was a building representative for Grandview Courts when she lived there. She enjoyed working on family genealogy, playing cards and reading.

She is survived by two daughters: Kathleen Countryman and Linda Prashaw both of Carthage, one son and daughter-in-law: Roger K. and Shann Ormiston of Conroe, TX; 9 Grandchildren, 18 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Great Grandson, two sisters: Mrs. Al (Martha) Smith of Watertown and Patricia Patchen of Depauville, two sisters-in-law; Rose Maine and Mrs. David (Beulah) Dillon all of Carthage, a brother-in-law, Roger E. Ormiston of Carthage and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by two sons, Gary and Randy Ormiston, a sister, Lucy Nunemaker, a brother, Harold Maine and a great granddaughter, Lindsey Frost.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 24 at 11:00 am at the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home in Carthage with the Rev. Bruce W. Chapman officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 9:30 am - 11:00 am prior to the service. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Natural Bridge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilna-Champion Transportation Assoc, 222 State St. Box 1104, Carthage NY 13619, the Cystic Fibrosis Assoc. or Hospice of Jefferson County.