Helen Wilkinson

Helen Emma Wilkinson passed away on April 30, 2025, at her home in Waleska, Georgia at the age of 89 years old after a brief illness. She is survived by her daughter Deborah A. Baratka (Randy), her son John D. Wilkinson, and her grandson Jake A. Baratka, along with her sister-in-law Patricia Gilmore, nephews Andrew Wilkinson, Mark Smith, and nieces Linda Beach (Bobby Vallone), and Kathleen Hogan. She is also survived by a long list of great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Helen was born on March 13, 1936, in Rochester, New York to James and Violet Fidler. She was a passionate Buffalo Bills fan. She was known to go off on long rants if the network did not air a Bills game.

Before she retired, Helen worked for an estate attorney in Rochester. She moved to Florida after retiring and started a craft business selling at local craft shows. In 2009, she started a very successful business on Etsy selling Christmas stockings to stay busy and "keep her brain going" as she used to say. Despite her physical ailments, she remained stubborn and feisty. Sharp minded and gentle in demeanor, you wouldn't know she probably endured more hardship and pain than most people could imagine. She watched the news 24/7 and could converse about events with her years of wisdom to back up her definitive outlook on life. She will be greatly missed.