Helen Marie Camelo

Helen Marie Camelo, 85, of Lakeland Drive, Plattsburgh, NY passed away on Thursday March 29, 2012 at Waccamaw Community Hospital in Merrills Inlet, SC surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Bloomingdale, NY on February 1, 1927 the daughter of Fletcher and Helen (Leahy) Finegan. Helen was a direct descendant of one of the first Irish families in the Saranac Lake Area. She graduated from St. Bernard's Elementary and then Saranac Lake High School in 1944. Helen attended Clinton Community College and worked in their library. She married the love of her life Dominick Camelo at St. Bernard's Church in Saranac Lake on June 30, 1951 by Fr. Peter Ward. Helen was the Librarian at the Keeseville Free Library for many years. She also worked for the New York State Department of Labor, retiring in 1989. Helen volunteered at CVPH Medical Center, Past President of the Altar Rosary Society at St. John's Church in Keeseville, a former Girl Scout Leader, member of the Sons of Italy in Myrtle Beach, and most recently a parishioner at the John XXIII Newman Center. She enjoyed watching Yankee Baseball with her husband Dom, was a master seamstress, knitter and accomplished basket weaver. Helen and her husband were world travelers; visiting Ireland four times, Italy, Germany and parts of the United States. They had spent the last ten winters in Myrtle Beach, SC. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren. Helen was predeceased by her parents, a brother Richard Finegan, three sisters-in-law; Florentine Camelo, Mary Finegan and Vera Finegan. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dominick Camelo, three children; Maureen Camelo-Whiting of Queensbury, Gregory Camelo of Saranac Lake and Dr. Kathleen Camelo of Plattsburgh, six grandchildren; Cari Whiting-Shiel and her husband Brenden, Joseph Whiting, Michael Whiting, Kevin Whiting, Maria Bosford and her husband Dean and Kendick Buchala, four great grandchildren; Noah and Isabella Shiel, Jonah Whiting and Alana Bosford, a brother John Finegan, a brother-in-law Frank Camelo and his wife Evie, several nieces, nephews, cousins and her favorite cat Toby also survive her. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday April 3, 2012 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday April 4, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at John XXIII Newman Center in Plattsburgh, burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Keeseville. Donations in Helen's memory may be made to the Keeseville Free Library, C/O Brown Funeral Home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901, (518) 561-3980 Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.