Helen O’Rourke

1937 - 2017

Helen E. O’Rourke SARATOGA SPRINGS - Miss Helen E. O’Rourke, formerly of Vermont St., passed away Saturday (Feb. 18, 2017) at Saratoga Hospital. She was 79. Born on Aug. 8, 1937 in Saratoga Springs, she is the daughter of the late Francis J. and Helen Veronica (Cleary) O’Rourke and was a lifelong resident. A graduate of the former St. Peter’s Academy on Broadway, she was a member of the first class graduating from the new high school in 1955. She was employed at the NY Telephone Company and also worked for five years at E. D. Starbuck’s department store. Helen retired from the alumni office at Skidmore College in Sept., 1990, following 26 years of service. A devout Roman Catholic, she was a faithful communicant of St. Clement’s Church, where she was a religious instructor to children with special needs and volunteered in the parish choir for many years. She also was actively involved with the former St. John Neumann Guild. Helen always enjoyed being with her close family and devoted much needed volunteer work for the Wesley Health Care Center. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her siblings, Anna Pemberton, Rev. Colin O’Rourke OFM and James H. (and sister-in-law, Jackie) O’Rourke. Survivors include two nephews, Frank (Jody) Pemberton of Saratoga Springs and Stephen (Karen) Pemberton and their daughter, Christina Pemberton (her great-niece), all of Whitesboro, NY and her brother-in-law, Peter Pemberton. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 8pm Wednesday (Feb. 22) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (584-5373). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Thursday in St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave., and burial will follow in the family plot in St. Peter’s Cem., West Ave. Memorials may be made in her name to the Wesley Health Care Center or to St. Clement’s Church. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.