Helen Christina Lundgren

Middletown, NY

Helen Christina Lundgren died on July 22, 2008 at St. Teresa's Nursing Home in Middletown. She was 94.

She was born on February 2, 1914 in New York City to Louis Vetter, a New York City Police Captain inducted by Teddy Roosevelt, and Caroline Schroder Vetter.

Helen's career began at the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York City. After moving from Long Island to Middletown in 1948, she stayed home to raise her two children and then began working at McMonagle & Rogers, a pharmaceutical company in Middletown, and later at the Middletown Psychiatric Center, where she realized her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.

Helen was an artist who enjoyed painting greeting cards for her friends and family, and a musician who loved playing the piano and organ. Her hobbies included quilting and crocheting, and baking her family's beloved oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. She loved vacationing by the ocean on Long Island, Cape Cod and Nantucket.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Martin Memmelaar of Middletown and a son, Richard Lundgren of New York City. Survivors also include a granddaughter, Diane Genender and her children: Emily, David, Daniel and Benjamin of Middletown; grandson, Martin Memmelaar, his wife, Denise and their children: Martin, Mason and Hunter of Middletown; grandson, Richard Memmelaar, his wife, Wendy and their children, Loryn and Karly of Bullville; grandson, Andrew Lundgren, Esq., his wife, Dr. Laura Lundgren and their children, Alexandra and Julia of Wilmington, DE, and granddaughter, Elizabeth Lundgren of Massachusetts. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Frank Engel of Plymouth, NH, and several nieces and nephews.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, John H. Lundgren, who died May 17, 1992; brother and sister-in-law, Louis and Florence Vetter; daughter-in-law, Nancy Lundgren, and grandson, David Memmelaar.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 26, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY. A Funeral Service in Remembrance will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Graveside services will take place at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, July 28, at the family plot in Wallkill Cemetery, Midway Rd., Middletown.

Arrangements by Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc.; 845-343-6309 or www.applebee-mcphillips.com.