Helen Marie LaFountain of Johnstown was called to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 22, 2015 after a short stay in the Albany Medical Center. She was 76 years old.
Helen was born to Foster Guiles and Sadie Basford on December 25th, 1938 in Russell, New York. After graduating from Knox Memorial Central School in 1957, she married her childhood sweetheart, Grover LaFountain on April 25th, 1958. They moved to Staten Island, New York where Grover was stationed in the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1969 they moved to Gloversville and in 1984 to Johnstown (Mohawk).
She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years; three sons: Thomas LaFountain (Karen) of Deland, FL, Michael LaFountain (Robin) of White Lake, NY, and Grover (Tommy) LaFountain (Jill) of Amsterdam, NY. She is also survived by three sisters, Mary Ann Curtis (Robert) of Edwards, NY, Kela Guiles of Reno, NV, and Karen Grimshaw of Ogdensburg, NY; two brothers: Kendrick (Butch) Grimshaw (Jeanette) of Oriental, NC, and Kenneth (Skip) Grimshaw (Shelly) of Russell, NY; three Grandsons: Steven LaFountain of Tribes Hill, NY, Andrew LaFountain (Stephanie) of Clifton Park, NY, and Daniel LaFountain of Amsterdam, NY; one granddaughter: Jeanette Lynn LaFountain of Orlando, FL; two step-grandsons: James Colon and Jerry Coons, both of Orlando, FL; one step-granddaughter: Amanda Ihlefeldt of White Lake, NY; four great granddaughters, three great grandsons, numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was pre-deceased by her parents and her step-father Kenneth Grimshaw Sr.
Helen had a variety of jobs over the years including a hairdresser, waitress at the Eccentric Club in Gloversville, and Respite Aide with Lexington Center. She was a long time member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Past Matron of the Cayadetta Chapter; the Fulton District Chapter of the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies, where she served as the District Deputy for 25 years; the Daughters of the Nile; and The Ladies of the Oriental Shrine where she served as High Priestess of Marvia Court from 2008-2009.
She loved to cook and her meals were enjoyed by many, many people over the years. She particularly loved to bake and everyone always looked forward to her chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls. She was a vibrant and outgoing individual who, if you didn’t know her before a function, you definitely knew her afterwards. She and Grover also loved to open up their home and hosted many a gathering at their house. Helen also had a special fondness for children and many of them still called her “Aunt Helen” long after they had grown and had children of their own.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 1st at 1:00PM at the Johnstown First Presbyterian Church, 37 South Market Street, Johnstown. Memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Online condolences can be made at www.ehleandbarnett.com