Almond, NY / Lima, NY

Helen M. Mullen, at 99 years young, a resident of Alpine Manor, Lima, NY, formerly of Almond, passed away early Friday morning (October 20, 2023) at the Avon Nursing & Rehab Facility in Avon, NY.

Born in Alfred Station on February 9, 1924, she was the daughter of Charles & Agnes (Muszinski) Woodruff.

Helen grew up in Alfred Station and was a graduate of Alfred High School (Class of 1942). Following high school, she was employed at Acme Electric in Wellsville, Worthington Pump in Wellsville, where she operated a tower crane during WWII, and Glidden Pottery in Alfred. Helen became employed by Alfred University in 1969, where she worked for 22 years, until her retirement in 1991.

She resided in Hornell and Almond for many years and after getting married, she began raising her family and was happy being a “Stay-At-Home-Mom.”

Helen had been a communicant of St. Brendan’s Church of Almond and a member of the Almond Senior Citizens’ Group. She enjoyed camping with her family, daily walks with her dear friend, MaryAnn Norton & their trips to Nashville & Branson and listening to Country Music. She was also an avid reader and especially loved reading novels by her favorite author, Clive Cussler.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Willis “Burr” Woodruff; sister-in-law, Louise Woodruff; her great-granddaughter, Allison Gallow; her grandson-in-law, Craig Gallow.

Surviving are four daughters, Linda (David) Ryan of Odessa, NY, Mary (Mark) Schuster of Lima, NY, Janet (Larry “Scarey”) Egger of Winnabow, NC and Christine Freeland of Almond, NY. 10 grandchildren, Rebecca (Roger) Willis, Stephen (Nicole) Ryan, Melissa Gallow, Dane Schuster, Kimberly (Paul) Bielewicz, Meghan (Ken) Nowicki, Ryan (Danielle) Egger, Kristen (Blake) Allen, Nicole (Vance Nourse) Bordeaux and Gregory (Ashley) Freeland; 24 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved and adored. The feeling was mutual. Also survived by several nieces & nephews.

At Helen’s request there will be no calling hours. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Brendon’s Church of Almond with Fr. James Hartwell officiating.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Helen’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to either the American Thyroid Association, 2000 Duke St., (Suite 300), Alexandria, VA 22314 (Phone: 703-998-8890) or to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, 5526 West 13400 South, #510, Herriman, UT 84096 (Phone: 888-936-6731).

To leave an online condolence or share a memory, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com.