Helen Daniel

ITHACA - In the words of her beloved grandson, Helen Daniel, "an amazing woman with an amazing heart," took her leave from this world in the early morning hours of July 16, 2018. Her daughter Danielle was by her side.

Those who knew Helen recognized her intelligence, feisty spirit, and great wit. Though her patience for fools and scoundrels was short, her kindness to anyone in need was boundless. Her generosity of spirit extended outside the orbit of her family to her friends, students, colleagues, neighbors and beyond. Before her illness, she spent countless hours helping a teenage Burmese refugee adapt to Ithaca's different, and sometimes inscrutable, mores. Whether volunteering at Hospicare or mentoring a child though Golden Opportunity Tutoring, she gave support, relief, and comfort to those who needed it most.

Helen came into the world on Jan. 25, 1938 in Cornwall, Ontario, the third child of Milton Marjerrison and Freda Vachon. She attended high school in Prescott, Ontario and received her college degree from Ontario Teachers College in Ottawa, an education that would later make possible her exceptional teaching career in the Ithaca City School District. She came to the United States in 1963, and later moved to Auburn, N.Y., with her children, Christopher and Danielle, and her first husband, Joe Dubrule. She later moved to Ithaca. It was there that she met Cletus Daniel, a young professor at Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations. They married in 1976, blending their families and creating a shared life dedicated to social justice.

Helen knew many joys: gardening, reading, birdwatching, collecting beautiful teacups and jewelry, and traveling the world with people she loved. But by far, her greatest joy came from the arrival of her grandchildren, Timothy Charbonneau and Sadie Rose Daniel. She thrilled to the role of "Grambam," savoring every moment she shared with them. In Sadie's words, Grambam "was always ready to listen to what I had to say. Even when she was sick, she kept her smile and the light in her eyes, which always brightened up my day." A high compliment comes from Timothy, who says, "I wish I had her as a teacher. Grambam will always be the coolest cat in the cat house."

Helen was predeceased by her adored son, Christopher Dubrule, in 1995, and her soulmate and husband, Cletus Daniel, in 2010.

She is survived by her daughter, Danielle Dubrule (Michael Charbonneau); her stepson, Jake Daniel (Diane Goodman Daniel); her sister, Marjorie McCoy; her grandchildren, Timothy and Sadie; her step-grandchildren, Brett and Katelyn Charbonneau; Chris and Danielle's father, Joseph Dubrule; nieces and nephews; and her pets, Lexi, Paul and Newman.

The family would like to thank the extraordinary care given to Helen in her home by her caregivers during her extended illness. In addition, they wish to thank the staff at the Hospicare Residence, who worked to keep Helen feeling safe and comfortable as her illness progressed.

A celebration of Helen's life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at the First Unitarian Society in Ithaca.

Those who would like to make a donation in Helen's memory should consider Hospicare, 172 E. King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Even in her final weeks, Helen remained the gracious, loving person she had always been. Those who knew her best would not hesitate to say, hers was a life well-lived. But, if Helen had the last word, she would likely add, "I'll be the judge of that!"