Mrs. Helen Swart Charles, 89, of Amsterdam, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2012, at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam with her loving family by her side. She was born April 12, 1923, in Amsterdam, N.Y., the daughter of the late Clarence J. and Lucy Tidball Swart.
Helen was a lifetime resident of the area and a graduate of the Wilbur H. Lynch High School, class of 1942. She also attended the Ballard School in New York City. She was a veteran of the United States Women's Army Corps. She was a Radium Girl. Helen was a lifelong communicant of St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church and was very involved in her community, being a member of many associations such as a founding member of Liberty Enterprise, ARC Heritage Association, life member of the Montgomery County Historical Society, The American Red Cross, the Century Club, the American Legion Post 701, Purple Heart Auxiliary, life member of DAV, the Walter Elwood Museum, Amsterdam Free Library, Antlers Country Club, the Crow Hill Gang, and the Inman Senior Center. Helen was also an avid bridge player, a Red Hat Lady and a founding member of the Wendy's Society. Helen owned and operated the Knit and Pearl Shop in Amsterdam and also was associated with the family business, C.J. Swart & Sons, an electrical contracting firm in Amsterdam.
On December 6, 1942, she married William B. Charles III. They shared a union of 66 years until his passing on February 5, 2008.
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Mrs. Charles
Her loving family includes two sons, William B. Charles IV (Patty) of Buffalo, N.Y. and Lott Swart Charles of Gloversville, N.Y.; three grandchildren, William B. Charles V, Michelle Herbeck Miller (Brian) and Ellen Ashley Charles; a brother, Clarence J. Swart Jr. (June) of San Antonio, Texas; a niece, Pamela Swart Kruger (Dr. Robert) of San Antonio, Texas; and a great-niece, Kimberly Swart Kruger.
Funeral services will be private and will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial of Helen's cremated remains will take place at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Tribes Hill, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Amsterdam NY 12010. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam NY 12010. Please visit the family's online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com.