Helen Tabor Halbert passed from this earthly life in the quietness of her Gilbertsville home that she loved so much in the early evening hours on March 20, 2017. Her struggle with cancer the past year ended with her husband, sister-in-law and pastor by her side.
Born in Schenevus to parents Howard and Bertha (Graham) Tabor on June 5, 1941, Helen Marie was the fourth of four children. She graduated from Cherry Valley Central School, Class of 1959.
After meeting through a Grange talent contest, their courtship was off and running leading to her marriage to Roger J. Halbert of Gilbertsville on September 29, 1979 at the Presbyterian Church.
Professionally, Helen made her mark in responsible positions, primarily as Secretary to the Administrator at MIB Hospital, Cooperstown from 1959 to 1981. After the birth of their son, the daily commute to Cooperstown suggested a change which led to employment with Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, New Berlin from 1983 until her retirement in 2003. During most of this period, she was honored to act as the Secretary to the President of the insurance company.
Active civic leaders, there was seldom a time but what both Helen and Roger were working or enjoying time on a joint project together. Helen’s church activities included many years in the church choir and also served as the church calendar coordinator and assisted quarterly with the bulletin preparations. Her Grange affiliation started at the Westville Grange 60 years ago and then she transferred membership to the Butternut Valley Grange at the time of their marriage. She served as Master of Butternut Valley from 1996 to 2001 and for the past fifteen years acted as the Corresponding Secretary. She currently was the Secretary of Otsego County Pomona Grange. As a member of the New York State Grange and the National Grange, Helen is a past State Grange officer from 1987 to 1995. Helen quietly assisted Roger during his six years as Membership Director of the National Grange that included several trips to various states around the country and most recently the past six years, helping with his duties as State Grange Secretary in the Cortland office.
Travel, particularly by cruise ship, provided special memories through the years with destinations to the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and Nova Scotia with several trips to the Bahamas and Bermuda. Several of these trips were made extra special when dear friends, Donald and Susan Drake accompanied them. A highlight was a fabulous trip to Switzerland to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in 2004. Roger and Helen’s last trip was to see the Pasadena Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in 2016 and spending a few days touring the area. From their first waltz as “Mr. and Mrs.” to “You Light Up My Life” to their last dance at the State Grange convention in October a week after the completion of her radiation treatments, Helen and Roger found complete joy in the harmony they felt on the dance floor.
In her son’s words, his mother “always had a soft-spoken grit and determination and was a role model for raising a family with unwavering focus for doing what’s best.” Helen was a woman of few words, but was driven with a deep passion for perfection for whatever she was responsible. She was well known for baking scrumptious apple pies that most generally did not make it to the bake sale table. Lastly, a favorite pastime was cheering on the Syracuse Orangemen in their annual basketball trek. Her quiet work done without fanfare and usually out of sight of others will be deeply missed by those that know of Helen’s selfless gifts. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
She is survived by her husband of over 37 years, Roger; their son, Jeffrey and wife, Megan and two beautiful granddaughters, Sophie and Juliette of Allentown, PA. Other family survivors include sister, Irene Fassett (Kermit), East Springfield; brother, Shirley Tabor (Gladys), Roseboom; and nieces and nephews, Kevin Fassett, Debra Rogers, Larry Tabor, Robert Tabor, and Carol McGovern. Two sisters-in-law also survive, Sandra Tabor Hunkins and Roberta Halbert.
In addition to her parents, she is pre-deceased by her brother, Lloyd Tabor and her nephews, Alan Fassett and Gary Tabor.
During the past year, special appreciation is extended to staff at Upstate and Crouse Memorial Hospital, Syracuse; Radiology and Chemotherapy staff at Fox Care Center, Oneonta; staff at Chase Health, New Berlin for a brief post-hospital stay; and to Catskill Area Hospice, Oneonta for their caring expertise in Helen’s final weeks. All of these health care professionals are commended for making this journey a bit more tolerable and less painful.
Visitation hours when the family will be in attendance will be held at the Johnston Funeral Home, 60 Broad Street, Morris on Friday, March 24, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. A Grange memorial service will be conducted by Stephen C. Coye, Master of the New York State Grange at 7 p.m. to which friends and area Grange members are invited to attend.
Funeral services will be conducted at the First Presbyterian Church, Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 with the Reverend Mark Piedmonte officiating. Burial will follow in the Butternuts Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are encouraged to Butternut Valley Grange (window drapery fund), P.O. Box 102, Gilbertsville 13776; the Presbyterian Church (Special Projects Fund), P.O. Box 314, Gilbertsville 13776; or to Catskill Area Hospice, 542 Main Street, Oneonta 13820.
On line condolences may be sent to www.johnstonfh.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Johnston Funeral Home, Morris.