NORWICH – Helen Catherine Rifanburg, 86, of Norwich, passed away on Mon., June 25, 2012, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital, where she had made her home for the past two years.
One of the eleven children of Geoffrey and Margaret McBirney Shipton, Helen was born in Smithville Flats in Feb. of 1926. Following her grade school years there, she attended high school in Greene and then Norwich. She married very young, and, although she did work from time to time out of her home, she was mainly a devoted wife and mother, raising not only her own sons but “all of the Chenango County kids.” Helen was a kind woman who was always willing to help anyone in need. She loved gardening and canning what she grew, and enjoyed being part of the local Home Bureau. She also enjoyed both sewing and crocheting. Helen had the ability to “read people,” being especially astute at catching any of the kids in a white lie. Her response was always “now go cut a switch.”
On April 6, 1944, in Norwich, Helen married George H. Rifanburg who predeceased her on Aug. 10, 1995. Helen is survived by her sons: Larry W. Rifanburg and wife Pam of Norwich, Les W. Rifanburg of Unadilla, and Linn W. Rifanburg and Christine Pierce of Oxford; by 9 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren; her sisters, Olive Marlin of Baldwinsville and Birdella “Della” Shipton of Lafayette; and her brother, Paul Shipton of Cortland. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her husband, Helen was predeceased by son, Donald George Rifanburg; her sisters, Margaret Hayes and Elsie Rifanburg, and brothers George “Sam,” John, Richard, Bernard, and Arthur Shipton; and her daughter-in-law, Marie Rifanburg.
Funeral services for Helen will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Stephen Reese, Pastor of the Columbus Community Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.