NORWICH – Helen W. Benedict, better known to her friends as “Boots,” passed away on Nov. 9, 2007 at her home on Canasawacta Street. She was 89.
Boots, who acquired her nickname from a comic strip in the early 1940s titled “Boots and her Buddies,” was born in Pine City on June 17, 1918, the daughter of Ray and Esther Wilson. She graduated from Elmira College in June of 1940.  During College, Boots met Nelson H. Benedict during a weekend visit to Sherburne with her college roommate. Boots and Nellie were married on June 13, 1942, just prior to Nellie’s departure for Germany during World War II.  During the war, Boots lived and worked in Sherburne. After more than two years of service in the Army, Nellie returned from Europe and they moved to Norwich and purchased their home on Canasawacta Street, where Boots has lived for more than 60 years. Boots and Nellie were married for over 54 years, Nellie passing away in 1996.
Boots will always be remembered for her vivacious personality and tremendous sense of humor. After moving to Norwich, Boots worked part time for many years at Frair’s Gift Shop on South Broad Street. However, she devoted much of her life to bringing up her two children and was affectionately referred to by her children’s friends as GOMB (i.e., good Ol’ Mrs. Benedict), because she was always there to help her two children and their friends. Over the past 30 years, she spent her winters in Florida where she thoroughly enjoyed her close friends and led a very active social life.
Boots is survived by her son, Jim, who is Chairman of the Litigation Department at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy in Manhattan and his wife, Jeffy. She is also survived by her daughter Anne McNitt, who recently retired as a Senior Vice President of Wachovia Bank in Winston Salem, North Carolina and her husband, John. Boots is survived by two grandchildren. Tyler, who followed in his Grandpa Nellie and Great Uncle Bob’s footsteps, is a junior at Colgate University and Allison, who is a 7th grader at the Middle School in Scarsdale.  Boots is further survived by her brother, Douglas Wilson, of Pine City.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the United Church of Christ First Congregational.  Reverend Joseph Connolly, pastor and teacher, will officiate. There will be no calling hours. Immediately following the memorial service, there will be a reception at Canasawacta Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Boots may make it to either the Norwich YMCA, 68 North Broad Street or to Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, both in Norwich, NY  13815.
The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at:  www.wilsonfh.com.