Obituary of Helene Mary Rossner

Westerlo, NY – Helene M. Rossner age 64 passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 after a brief stay at St. Peter's Hospice Inn. Born in Newburgh, NY on March 29, 1951 Helene was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Francis Magier. She was a devoted daughter who was incredibly loved by her parents and her brother Francis. Helene attended Wallkill High School where she graduated in 1969. Helene was married on December 3, 1971 in Albany, NY, and again on April 16, 1972 in Newburgh, NY to the same "unbelievable" man and she happily shared more than 43 years with her loving and devoted husband Michael C. Rossner. Helene loved to travel, spend time with her husband, children and grandchildren, loved to read, and in her later life loved to gamble! She made quite a few deposits and was a gracious benefactor for many a slot machine at various casinos across the country and in St. Maartens. Helene was a registered nurse (RN) for 41 years graduating from Albany Nursing School in 1973, and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from SUNY Utica-Rome in January 2000. She was an incredible nurse – always a care-giver and intuitively nurturing. After a lifetime of dedicated and passionate work in healthcare, she most recently retired from the NYS Department of Health. She was a long-time communicant of St. Matthews in Voorheesville, NY, and St. John's in Greenville, NY. Helene was known for being a "classy and sassy" lady with her "Bad Momma" license plate on her red sports car. She was an advocate for human beings and tried to help those that she could while she was here doing unconditional random acts of kindness whenever she could. She was an incredible wife to her husband and a fantastic mother – her 3 adult children feel incredibly blessed to have the privilege of being raised by such an incredible woman – she was "the best" and their angel on earth. She embodied all the characteristics of what a loving and caring wife and mother should be – a kind, unselfish, protective, giving, listening, caring woman who guided her family with faith and unconditional love. She was lovingly referred to as "HELENE!, Hel, Ma, Mom, Ma-Dukes, Chemo Chick, Rad Chick", and her most recent favorite – "Mi-Mi" by her awesome grandchildren whom she loved "to the Moon and Back!" Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Michael, sons Heath of Slingerlands, Luke (Erika) of North Greenbush, daughter Kristy (Chris) of Rotterdam, 4 loving and precious grandchildren – Kira Rose, Logan Christopher, Gracie Abigail, and Hunter Joseph, a loving brother Francis (Genna) of Wallkill, NY, 4 sister-in-laws – Kathleen (Bill) Doelling of Dennis, MA, Cecilia (Wolfgang) Stemmler of Chatham, NJ, Mary Ellen Gallagher of West Haven, CT, and Therese (Tony) Luongo of Oxford, CT, 2 brother-in-laws – Timothy (Louise) Rossner of Middleburgh, NY, and Frank (Marty) Rossner of Altamont, NY, 26 nieces and nephews, and 32 grand-nieces and nephews (and counting). Her family would like to thank ALL other family, friends, and co-workers who supported and loved Helene in her life and through her illness – your cards, thoughts, prayers, acts of kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated more than you will ever know! Also thanks to the staff at NYOH, all Helene's physicians, nurses, and caregivers during her battle, the ACS Hope Club and all the members of the "Living with Cancer" support group. She felt so blessed to be so loved. Calling hours will be on Thursday April 16, 2015 from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 9pm at the A. J. Cunningham Funeral Home 4898 State Route 81 Greenville, NY 12083. There will be a Funeral Mass on Friday April 17 at 11am at St. John the Baptist Church 4987 State Route 81 Greenville with burial to follow in the Hannacroix Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the American Cancer Society Hope Club, One Penny Lane, Latham, NY 12110, AND/OR please perform a random act of kindness for someone who needs it in Helene's name. Thank you for helping and for thinking of others as you honor Helene and her wonderful life! Condolences can be posted at ajcunninghamfh.com.