Remembering Barb Helwig, a mother figure for Gordon and many others. (2024)

GORDON WOODWORTHSpecial to the Post-Star

When you grow up in a small town, you’ve got lots of moms looking out for you.

I grew up in South Glens Falls and I still run into some of those quiet angels.

Among mine were Nancy Eustance, Ginny Morin and Davine Hermens and Linda Whyland and Barb Pease on Merritt Road.

One street over on Wynnefield Drive was Kris Nolan. Bonnie Kelly was on Washington Road. Rob Fitzgerald’s mom Janice Nolin was always watching out for me, as were Richard White’s sweet mom Jacquelin, the incredible Marcia O’Donnell, the brilliant Ada Glacy, the incomparable Ma Powers on Clark Street, the elegant Tina Stearns, songstress Mary Nelson, the irrepressible Wilma Patton, the boldly stylish Marilynn Whalley.

The unforgettable Bette Lennox, the kind Shirley Howe, the elegant Alice (Manz) Burgess, cherished teacher Shirley Burgess, bright light Bev Shelley, beautiful Betty Richardson, Martha Johnson, Bobbie Porter, MaryLou DiNicola, Linda Van Tassel. So many wonderful women. So many wonderful memories.

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Barb Helwig was one of my community moms. And I’m pretty sure I was not alone.

Barb was my best buddy Greg Helwig’s mom. And she was pure love, an absolute delight to be around.

She and her husband Jack were married 65 years. They not only raised Greg, but his older sister Jackie and their younger brother Jeffrey.

Barb had a razor-sharp wit. She was quick with the one-liners and was sure to point out when I made a mistake in a column! I loved it! Lord knows I need all the help I can get.

A few years back, Jackie and her husband Allen Whelden, took a trip across country in their RV. Barb and Jack went along. Facebook photos traced their trip to the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore and the Continental Divide.

It was a lifetime memory for all of them. Barb and Jack had the time of their lives. Jack still talks about it.

Barbara Ann Helwig passed away last Saturday. She was home. Her Jack was there. Her kids, who she adored and admired, were there. There may have been chocolate chip cookies.

Barb’s family is her legacy. Her three children are all superstars, wonderfully caring, universally respected human beings. No surprise considering who their parents are. And they all get along and support each other and Jack, something that didn’t escape Barb. She was so proud of them.

But Barb’s legacy is also all of the lucky children of other moms who she watched over and loved and comforted and fed and kidded around with.

I was one of those kids.

In the chaotic world of the 1970s, Barb was a safe harbor for many of my storms.

And I am forever grateful.

Rest in Peace, Barb. And thank you. Your love continues on. I promise.

Student chairpeople picked for 2025 South High Marathon Dance

Congratulations to Addy Buckley, Ethan Lyons, Collin Ostrander, Parker Simon and Jillian Wright, who were recently selected as student chairs for the 2025 South High Marathon Dance.

The 2025 dance is Feb. 28 to March 1 at the Senior High School on Merritt Road.

This year’s dance will be the 48th annual SHMD, which began back in 1978.

Last year, students and the community raised $746,887.25. The community event has raised $11.29-million in 47 years.

This and that

My sincere condolences to the family of Pat Russo, a legendary South Glens Falls figure. Pat’s Dugout was THE place to be in my youth. I remember watching closed-circuit fights, including Roberto Duran vs. Sugar Ray Leonard, in the back room. $10 a head. Club sandwiches, fries and uppercuts. I recall Mike “Barney” Sullivan was there. Of course he was. Glory Days … Just a week left to get your tickets for the South High Bulldog Pride Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Friday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. at Common Roots in South Glens Falls. Tickets are $40 (cash or check) and available in the administrative offices at the senior high school until the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 18. After that, no tickets will be sold. Inductees are Jack Celeste, Ellen Donohue Marcantonio, John Vishneowski, Richard White and the late Cliff Winslow. Info: 518-926-8906.

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Remembering Barb Helwig, a mother figure for Gordon and many others. (2024)
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