Helen M. George, 89
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Helen Mary George, 89, of Williamstown died on Friday, March 27, 2015, at Care One at the Cupola in Paramus, N.J.
Born in Pittsfield in 1926, daughter of Louis M. and Bessema R. Shogry, her father emigrated from Palestine through Ellis Island around 1912 and her mother from Lebanon around the same year. The two were match made in the United States and raised a large and loving family, of which she was one of 10 children.
Mrs. George and her husband, the late Frederick Louis George, owned and operated the iconic Sand Springs Pool from 1950 to 2003. During that time, they were a Williamstown institution making thousands of connections with friends both locally and around the globe. They brought joy to the lives of many who enjoyed the warm waters of Sand Springs and the warmth of the George Family. For many, Sand Springs became a home away from home.
The Cupola, though hours from her beloved Sand Springs, had uncanny resemblances to her home, with its cupola, gazebo, pool table, shuffle board, and surrounding pine trees. The Cupola is located close to family. In her final months, she lived it up with her family and friends and celebrated her 89th birthday with a large party, visited New York City, attended weekly concerts, enjoyed private piano concerts from her youngest granddaughter, and dined out regularly.
She was known for her keen sense of humor, smart business acumen, and warmth as a mother, sibling, spouse, and friend. She often broke norms by becoming a woman ahead of her time: buying a business at the ripe young age of 24 (in 1950), getting a tattoo at the ripe young age of 79 (in 2004), and deciding to embrace big changes over 80, including moves to Maine, Minnesota, and New Jersey, always with the open mind that "I am never too old to start again."
What a spirit! May we all learn from Mrs. George the value of embracing life and living it to its fullest.
Mr. George, her loving husband and business partner of more than 50 years, died in 2002.
She leaves three daughters, Elaine Victoria Mello of Raynham, Carol George of Duluth, Minn., and Beth V. George of Englewood, N.J.; two sons,Alan L. George of Honolulu and Fredric L. George of Williamstown; her brother, Alfred Shogry of Pittsfield; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and countless friends.
She was predeceased by her siblings and "band of welcoming angels" Edward L. Shogry, Albert L. Shogry, Catherine Caron, Louise Shogry George, Mildred Shogry Billings, Richard Shogry, Louis M. Shogry Jr., and Theodore L. Shogry, and her treasured granddaughter Janice E. Furtado.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services for Mrs. George will be Saturday, May 30, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church in Williamstown, with a burial service at Eastlawn Cemetery, followed by a celebration of her life at Sand Springs Pool, 158 Sand Springs Road, Williamstown, starting at noon.
Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals is in charge of arrangements.