Helen Pinney Mummery, 97, of Norwich and Smyrna, passed away Thursday, February 8, 2018, at the Norwich Rehabilitation Center of Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Helen was born on February 17, 1920 in Greene the daughter of Herman and Margaret (Forrest) Schat. She grew up in Greene where she worked on the family farm and attended the local school. Following high school she furthered her education by attending beauty school in Binghamton earning her beauticians license. On September 26, 1942 she married Carlton Pinney and soon thereafter moved to Norwich. Once in Norwich she began working as a beautician at Joy’s Beauty Shop until the birth of her daughter, Karen when she decided to be a stay at home mom.
After her children entered high school Helen returned to the work force, taking a job with the Chenango County Board of Elections. She remained active with the Ladies Home Bureau, the Choir of the Congregational Church, bowling league and traveling with the Norwich High School Band in which son Carlton was the Drum Major. After husband Carlton’s death in February, 1977 she continued working and being active with best friends Evelyn and Paul Pooler. It was the Poolers who introduced her to her future husband, widower Glenn Mummery of Smyrna. They were wed December 27, 1980 and made their home in Glenn’s Smyrna house. Glenn’s daughters Joyce and Ellen lovingly accepted Helen into their family as a mom and grandmother to their children. Summers for the couple were spent at the family cottage on Lake Morraine in Hamilton where family picnics and water sports were enjoyed by all. Winters were spent in Zephyrhills, Florida where Helen and Glenn were very active with square dancing, shuffleboard, side trips and community activities with their many new friends. After Glenn passed away in November, 1997, Helen moved back to Norwich to be near friends and daughter Karen. She became a member of the North Norwich Garden Club, the United Methodist Church of Norwich and the YMCA swimming group. Over the years her son, daughter and their spouses took her on trips of her choice to England, Scotland, Holland, Ireland, St. Maartin, the Grand Canyon and cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska. Many vacations were spent with son Carlton and family in the state of Maine. She wasn’t one for sitting home when there were things to see and do!
Helen is survived by her children Karen (Stan) Edwards of Norwich, Carlton (Laurie Eddy) Pinney of Hampden, ME, step-children Joyce (Craig) Lawson of Norwich, Ellen (Bruce) Eccleston of Underhill, VT, grandchildren: R. Mike (Serena) McIntyre of Estero, FL, Mark (Carrie) McIntyre of Cicero, Colin Pinney of Greenacres, FL, Nick Eddy of Bangor, ME, step-grandchildren: Thomas (Loraine) Lawson of Cazenovia, Marc (Katie) Lawson of Mechanicsville, VA, Gwenn (Tyler) Shimizu of Ogden,UT, Chad Eccleston of Underhill, VT, great grandchildren Alicia (Shane) Nelson, Kyle McIntyre, Christina (Aaron) Spier, Carley Breslin, Caleb McIntyre, Thomas McIntyre, Alex McIntyre, Rebecca McIntyre, Anna McIntyre, Chase McIntyre, Lillie McIntyre, Lindsey and Tanner Lawson, James, Ellie and Benjamin Lawson and great great grandson Randall Nelson. Helen is also survived by Karen Carlson the mother of grandson Colin Pinney, nephews Douglas and Laurence Adams and Sister-in-law Constance Frink Willard.
Helen was predeceased by her husband’s Carlton Pinney and Glenn Mummery and her sister Margaret Schat.
A Celebration of Helen’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2018, beginning with a service at 11:00 am from the Broad St. United Methodist Church followed by a time of fellowship and remembrances of Helen’s life in the Fellowship Hall of the Broad St. United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are with the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home.