Curry, Helen Elizabeth

ALBANY-Helen E. (Fox) Curry, 91, died peacefully at her home Wednesday, November 29, 2017 with her loving family at her side.

Born and educated in Albany, she lived her entire life in the South End. She was the daughter of the late William C. and Anne E. (Bensinger) Fox. Helen went to Our Lady Help of Christians Grammar School, then graduated from Cathedral Academy in 1943. She attended Albany Memorial Hospital School of Nursing under the Army Nurse Corps. She left the program early to return home to care for her mother and siblings at a time of need. Being the oldest of her siblings, and a girl, she was her mother’s right hand in caring for the children. She shared lots of fun stories about her ‘minding the Boys’ while her parents were out.

In her early years she worked at the Albany Analine and Chemical Dye Co. She worked as a clerk for many years at the DeWitt Clinton Hotel-where she met many famous celebrities and politicos. Helen married Jim Curry in 1951 and left her job at the DeWitt in 1953 just before her first child was born. While raising her family, she helped her parents operate the family business, Fox’s Live Bait Shop. She also worked at Jane’s Variety for many years until her retirement.

Over the years she served as a Democratic Committee Woman, petitioning for signatures and working at the election polls. Helen loved flea markets, antique shows and auctions where she scoured the vendors for whatever collectible she or family members were in search of. For many years she accompanied her mother for extended stays in Boca Raton, Fla. to stay with her aunt. A cruise was always planned. She enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Spain and Portugal. Summer picnics were always a highlight with her delicious potato salad in tow. She looked forward to the yearly opening of Kays on Burden Lake for pizza or a Sunday treat at Teds Fish Fry. She enjoyed ceramic classes for many years. Her artistic hands produced several paintings that we cherish. Her beautiful penmanship was her hallmark.

Helen was an avid reader of all genre. It brought her great joy. Never without a book in hand: she was a ‘regular’ at the Delaware branch of the Albany Public Library. She cherished her librarian friends there, who kept her fully stocked with the latest best sellers-having no less than 4 or 5 books a week in her stash to read.

Helen was well read and well versed on current events, opinionated and ready to dialog about her position on any topic of discussion. Her loud engaging laugh was always shared without restraint.

She loved family traditions, gatherings and events, especially those involving a meal…the delight being the small plate of goodies to take home for a later snack.

Nothing came before her family. She was always present to help guide and listen. She always had the right answer. Helen was a woman of strong faith, starting and ending her day with prayerful devotion.

A former communicant of Our Lady Help of Christians until it’s closing in 2002, she served on the Altar Rosary Society. A current communicant of the Parish of Mater Christi in Albany, she was a regular attendant at the 4 p.m. Mass, arriving early to get her seat, surrounded by her ‘church friends’ where she caught up on the latest news.

She was the beloved wife of the late James T. Curry, Jr.; devoted mother of James T. (Joann) Curry, III of Loudonville, Judith Curry of Albany, Michael Curry of Westerlo and Alicia (Steven) Peterson of Glenmont; cherished grandmother to Nicholas (Heather) Curry, Andrew Curry, Jonathan Curry; Michael Curry, Jr., Alex Curry; Joshua Peterson and Haley Peterson; proud great gram to Emily and Thomas Curry. She is the oldest of her siblings and a ‘mother figure’ to several: William Fox, Jr., Leonard (Antoinette) Fox, Thomas (Jane) Fox, Mary “Nancy” Lansing, Marcia (Wayne) Spaulding, Linda Fox and the late John Fox. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Helen’s family on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany from 3 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday December 4 at 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home thence to the Parish of Mater Christi, 40 Hopewell St., Albany where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, Glenmont, NY.