Helen Herendeen Kirker

FARMINGTON - On May 17, 2025, Helen Herendeen Kirker died at Newark-Wayne Hospital from congestive heart failure. She was 95.

There will be no prior calling hours. There will be a memorial service at Farmington Friends Meeting House at 187 County Road 8, Farmington, N.Y., 14425, on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., reception follows. Burial will be in North Farmington Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Contributions may be made in her name to 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum, P.O. Box 25053, Farmington, N.Y. 14425.

Helen was born on January 28, 1930 to parents J. Frederick and Evelyn (Young) Herendeen. A native of Farmington, N.Y., she lived the last seventy years of life at her saltbox colonial home in Seneca Castle built in 1829. She was a graduate of Class of 1948 at Canandaigua Academy , the vice-president of her class and queen of the senior ball. In 1963 she was appointed Postmaster of Seneca Castle by JFK, being a life-long FDR Democrat, where she served for 28 years until retirement. She served as Seneca Town Historian, member of the Board of Assessment Review, member of Town of Seneca & Farmington Historical Societies, former Clerk at Farmington Friends (Quaker) Meeting House, served on the vestry of St. Peter's Episcopal Church and a Sunday school teacher at both Farmington Friends & St. Peter's, board member of Red Cross (Geneva Chapter), a Zonta member and volunteer at Women's Rights National Historical Park (where she met President B. Obama). She was a moving force in the work to rescue and establish the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum, a place where Susan B. Anthony- a distant cousin & Frederick Douglass had spoken. As postmaster she received awards for superior accomplishment. As a member of the community, she organized community parades for Memorial Day & July 4th.

Her interests were her children, family and history. She learned to fly a single engine Piper Cub with a stick at 15 years of age, never losing her love of flying- later soloing in a Taylor Craft in middle age. She loved horse-riding, ice skating, biking, gardening and raised Weimaraners, beagles & Siamese cats.

She is survived by sons Stephen (Darlene) Cooley of Dunkirk with grandchild Darcie Marino & great grandchild Miranda Marino; and Brent (Eileen) Cooley of Geneva with grandchildren Matthew (Kirstyn), Maureen & Elisabeth Cooley and great grandchild Mari Hoyt. She is also survived by brother Edward Herendeen of Florida and sister Ann Rankin of Canandaigua and many nieces, nephews & cousins.

Helen was preceded in death by husband Albert Kirker and siblings Robert (Cheryl), Mary Alice (Samuel) Loiacano, Philip (Barbara), Donald (at 12- beloved brother), and Richard (infant) and her parents.

The funeral is arranged by Cheney Funeral Home in Phelps.