SOUTH NEW BERLIN  – Helen C. Dull, 98, long-time South New Berlin schoolteacher and former Town of Norwich assessor, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in the Oneonta Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
The daughter of Robert C. and Mattie Wells Church, Helen was born in the Town of Butternuts in September of 1911. A well-educated woman, Helen graduated from Oneonta Normal School in 1931, from Oneonta State in 1951 with her Bachelor’s Degree, and from Oneonta State in 1957 with her Master’s Degree. Helen, like many other teachers of her time, taught in one room schoolhouses in Springvale and White Store, but spent the better part of her life as a 3rd grade schoolteacher in the South New Berlin system, finally retiring in September of 1981 at the age of 70, with 50 years to her teaching credit. She was known for her love of gardening and animals, and for several years had served the Town of Norwich as a member of its Board of Assessors. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Oneonta. In July of 1933, Helen married Robert Dull, who predeceased her.
Helen is survived by her sister, Gertrude Church of New Berlin; by her nieces, Dyanna Church Vilardi, Dawn Gage, and Denise Connor; and her nephews, Richard and Robert Church. Helen was predeceased by her brothers, Howard, James, and Walter Church, and her nephew, Ralph David Connor.
Funeral services for Helen will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery of South New Berlin. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m.