Helen Pierpoint, 90, of Stone Ridge

Helen Pierpoint of Stone Ridge, N.Y., passed away on July 24, 2017, at Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Home in Troy, N.Y. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Helen was born June 2, 1927, in High Falls, N.Y., the daughter of Frank and Flora (Yeaple) Silkworth.

A lifelong resident of the area, Helen attended the one-room schoolhouse in Stone Ridge close to the home where she was raised. She graduated from Kingston High School and attended SUNY-Delhi where she completed a program in Secretarial Studies. After college, she married and had three children with her first husband, Jeffrey Bennett, before he passed away in 1967.

Helen pursued the occupation for which she was trained, working as secretary for local businesses such as, Standard Furniture Company and Hucktrol Inc., during the 1950’s. The majority of her career was with Sears Roebuck in Kingston, where she was secretary to the store manager. Later, Helen served as zoning inspector for the Town of Marbletown. It was at Sears that she met the man who would become the love of her life, William (Bill) Pierpoint. They married in 1972, and after their retirement, moved to Sarasota, Fla. They were inseparable until his death in 2011.

Helen cherished time with her family and her “Ten High Club” friends. She thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors. Whether it was reading by the pool, a barbeque on the deck with friends, or camping in the Adirondacks, she was most comfortable being in the sun and fresh air. She loved a good game of golf and was often seen practicing her golf swing when she was not on the course. She and Bill were among the first members to join the Rondout Country Club.

A lady of style, strength, and dignity, Helen will be remembered for her quick wit, intelligence, and poise. Her easy-going, soft-spoken demeanor will be missed by many.

She is survived by her son, Brandon (Rosa) Bennett of Pasadena, Calif.; daughters, Beverly Bennett of Stone Ridge, N.Y., and Karen (Bret) Scott of Waterford, N.Y.; stepdaughter, Constance Pierpoint and grandson, Joseph Anderson, both of Durham, N.C.; and sister-in-law, Sue Silkworth of Boise, Idaho.

She is predeceased by her husband, William Pierpoint; a brother, George Silkworth; and a grandson, William Anderson.

A private celebration of her life will be held at a later time.