Helen Malcolm Cleland

Helen M. Cleland

Newark"Miss Helen Malcolm Cleland, 99, formerly of Buffalo, NY, died Tuesday (December 6, 2004) at the Newark Manor Nursing Home.

At her request there will not be calling hours or public funeral services. Spring burial will be in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.

Memorials in her name may be made to the Newark Public Library, High Street, Newark, NY 14513 or the Humane Society of Wayne County, 1475 County House Road, Newark, NY 14513.

Helen was born Aug. 1, 1905, in Grantwood, NJ, the daughter of Robert Linton and Dorothy Parrott Cleland. She graduated from Bennett High School in Buffalo, NY. Miss Clelend then attended the University of Buffalo, graduating in 1927 with both a B.A. and a B.S. in Library Science. She worked at the Grosvenor Library of the Buffalo and the Eire County Public Library System from 1927 through 1970 as the head of the catalogue department. During WWII, Helen worked for one year in the State Department Library in Washington, D.C.

In her earlier years Helen enjoyed participating in a number of sports. She was an accomplished golfer, tennis player, horse woman and downhill skier. Helen was an original and devoted fan of the Buffalo Bills.

Following retirement Helen moved to Newark to live with her sister Dorothy Schantz. After her sister's death Helen lived at the Woodhill Apartments for 26 years, where she became known as the "cookie lady".

Helen is survived by six nieces and nephews along with numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and three sisters Elizabeth Cleland, Dorothy Schantz and Stacy Hewitt and one brother Robert Cleland Jr.

Family is being served by the Paul L. Murphy & Sons Funeral Home, Newark.