SHERBURNE – Helen Julia Bryan Sprague, 99, lifelong Sherburne resident, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2012 at UHS/Chenango Memorial Hospital Residential Health Care Facility in Norwich.
She came into this world on May 16, 1912 in the home of her parents, Floyd E. and Bessie G. Van Antwerp Bryan in Sherburne. She attended Sherburne School and graduated from Sherburne High School in 1931. Helen had worked as a substitute telephone switchboard operator, and she also worked at the Gaines Food Company in Sherburne for 11 years. From 1957 until 1967, she was the account clerk typist for the Village of Sherburne.
On Jan. 1, 1938, Helen married Charles E. Sprague of Ilion. They had one daughter, Carol Ann, born on Nov. 17, 1943. Helen and Chuck enjoyed following Carol, as a Sherburne High School marching band member, at the parades where they competed. They were very happy when Carol married Keith M. Harvey on Dec. 22, 1962. Chuck and Helen also enjoyed many years of camping with their travel trailer, and later at their camp at Eaton Brook Reservoir. For 10 years, they split their residency between Sherburne and their second home in Lakeland, Fla., spending six months of the year at each place. Chuck went to be with the Lord on March 14, 1994, and their beloved daughter Carol joined him on Feb. 27, 2006. Carol’s death left Helen lonely and brokenhearted. She will now be at rest beside her husband and near her parents and daughter for eternity.
Helen was a life member of the First United Methodist Church in Sherburne. In earlier years, she was a nursery school teacher and was the secretary of the Sunday school. She was also the musician for the junior choir at the church for many years. Chuck and Helen, along with others, started the Sherburne Adult Fellowship at the church.
In 1939, Helen joined the Order of Eastern Stars in Sherburne where she became a life member. In 1953 and 1971, she was the Matron, and from 1973-74 she was appointed Grand representative to British Columbia, Grand Chapter for the State of New York. She was also a former member of the DAR and the Epworth League.
Surviving are her son-in-law, Keith Harvey of Sherburne; her granddaughters and their families, Michelle, Dave, Erin and Morgan Rundle, Wendy, Al, Alexis, Savannah and Gabriel Irwin; two sisters-in-law, Joan Ward of Watkins Glen and Betty Lou Whittemore of Oneonta; and several nieces and nephews. She was always appreciative of the support of Keith’s family, Norm and Pat Harvey, Phyllis and Ob Larrabee, Ken and Ida Harvey, Rhoda Jones, Donna Helm and Karen Harvey.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday from the First United Methodist Church, Chapel St., Sherburne, followed by interment in the West Hill Cemetery, Sherburne.
Friends are invited to call at the church on Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Sherburne United Methodist Women, PO Box 556, Sherburne, NY 13460.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 10 S. Main St., Sherburne.
To send a condolence or sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.