Helen Wright Prince

Former Southold resident Helen Wright Prince passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Fairport, N.Y. She was 101.

She was born in Columbus, N.J., to the late William Wright and Ione Hankins Wright on Oct. 21, 1911. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Frederic “Hummer” Corwin Prince, and her two brothers, Branson and Herbert Wright. Survivors include her sister, Betty DiNova of Brandon, Fla., and her two sons, Barry (Ann) Prince of Fairport, N.Y., and Bill (Nancy) Prince of Signal Mountain, Tenn. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Bryan Prince of Baton Rouge, La., Todd (Jill) Prince of Richmond, Va., Sarah Prince of Winchester, Va., and Eric Prince of Rochester, N.Y.

Helen lived in her Southold home on Founders Path, for over 50 years. Each summer she enjoyed reunions with her extended family. At the age of 92, she moved to live near her son Barry in Rochester, N.Y.

Helen was a Class of 1929 graduate of Westtown, a Quaker school in Westtown, Pa. She received her teaching degree from what is now SUNY/New Paltz. Helen had a distinguished career as an elementary school teacher for more than 30 years, beginning in the Riverhead schools, continuing in Orient during World War II and retiring after teaching in the Southold schools for a number of years. In the 1950s she had a unique experience teaching grades 1 through 8 combined in the East Cutchogue Migrant Labor Camp, the only one of its kind in the state.

In addition to numerous hobbies, Helen was an avid gardener, which was reflected in the landscape surrounding her home. She was the family historian and wrote several historical/genealogical books about her family and Southold. After retirement, she volunteered in the archives of the Southold and Riverhead historical societies.

For many years, Helen attended the Friends Meeting in Riverhead and then in Southampton.

A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Peter Kelley at 11 a.m. Friday, June 21, at First Presbyterian Church, Southold. Interment will be at the church cemetery.

The family requests that memorial donations be made in Helen’s name to the Southold Historical Society, P.O. Box 1, Southold, NY 11971.

Arrangements were entrusted to DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes.

This is a paid notice.