Wellsville, NY - Helen H. McCarty, a emeritus professor at Alfred State College, died April 20, 2009 at John F. Keever Jr. Solace Center in Asheville, NC.
Mrs. McCarty began her teaching career as an instructor at the SUNY College of Technology at Alfred in 1965, becoming the first women full professor in the English Department retiring in 1990. Helen taught speech and public speaking. Emeritus Professor McCarty returned as an adjunct professor from 1994-96 in the same department. She served as advisor to SICA (Students Involved in Community Action) and Ergo, the college literary magazine. Helen was the guiding influence in bringing the first and many subsequent issues of Ergo to publication. She was the organizer of the first Alfred State Poetry Readings and Literary Teas. She served on the College Promotion Committee and Gallery and Dormitory Art Committee. During her tenure at Alfred State College, she was a strong advocate of the arts, arranging numerous exhibits and other activities to promote arts at the campus.
She received a bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University and master’s degrees from the State University of New York at Geneseo and Syracuse University, where she also completed coursework towards doctoral degree.
She was a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. She had an appreciation and talent for cultivating flowers, her favorite was the Vermilion Geranium. She created “One of a Kind” wreaths for friends and often contributed them for local fundraisers. Her community service included the Wellsville Restoration Board, Tree Workshop, Allegany Association for the Handicapped, Elderberry Transportation Committee and Allegany County Art Committee.
Helen was born in Calgary, Canada the daughter of Frank and Beatrice (Diveney) Hogan and moved to Bolivar, NY as young girl. She resided in Wellsville for most of her life. Her husband, Dr. Frederick H. McCarty, died in 1965. She was predeceased by her sisters Molly and Kathleen.
She is survived by their four children, Sheila McCarty of Asheville, NC, Brian (Faith) McCarty of Philadelphia, PA, Fred (Sharon Moyer) McCarty of San Jose, CA and Kevin (Kathryn) McCarty of Arlington, VA, and Marty O’Connor (“the other son”), three grandchildren, Patrick, Shane & Kate McCarty, two nephews, John Masten of Williamsport, Pa, Tom Masten of Penfield, NY, and a niece, Susan Guilfoyle, of Dowell, MD, a cousin Connie McCormick of Pittsburgh, PA & their families and many lifelong friends.
Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 and Saturday from 9:00 to 10:30 am in the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Rev. Patrick O’Keefe as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bolivar.
Memorial suggestions include the Arts and Music programs at the Immaculate Conception School in Wellsville or the Whitesville Central School; where she taught after she retired from Alfred.
Mrs. McCarty began her teaching career as an instructor at the SUNY College of Technology at Alfred in 1965, becoming the first women full professor in the English Department retiring in 1990. Helen taught speech and public speaking. Emeritus Professor McCarty returned as an adjunct professor from 1994-96 in the same department. She served as advisor to SICA (Students Involved in Community Action) and Ergo, the college literary magazine. Helen was the guiding influence in bringing the first and many subsequent issues of Ergo to publication. She was the organizer of the first Alfred State Poetry Readings and Literary Teas. She served on the College Promotion Committee and Gallery and Dormitory Art Committee. During her tenure at Alfred State College, she was a strong advocate of the arts, arranging numerous exhibits and other activities to promote arts at the campus.
She received a bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University and master’s degrees from the State University of New York at Geneseo and Syracuse University, where she also completed coursework towards doctoral degree.
She was a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville. She had an appreciation and talent for cultivating flowers, her favorite was the Vermilion Geranium. She created “One of a Kind” wreaths for friends and often contributed them for local fundraisers. Her community service included the Wellsville Restoration Board, Tree Workshop, Allegany Association for the Handicapped, Elderberry Transportation Committee and Allegany County Art Committee.
Helen was born in Calgary, Canada the daughter of Frank and Beatrice (Diveney) Hogan and moved to Bolivar, NY as young girl. She resided in Wellsville for most of her life. Her husband, Dr. Frederick H. McCarty, died in 1965. She was predeceased by her sisters Molly and Kathleen.
She is survived by their four children, Sheila McCarty of Asheville, NC, Brian (Faith) McCarty of Philadelphia, PA, Fred (Sharon Moyer) McCarty of San Jose, CA and Kevin (Kathryn) McCarty of Arlington, VA, and Marty O’Connor (“the other son”), three grandchildren, Patrick, Shane & Kate McCarty, two nephews, John Masten of Williamsport, Pa, Tom Masten of Penfield, NY, and a niece, Susan Guilfoyle, of Dowell, MD, a cousin Connie McCormick of Pittsburgh, PA & their families and many lifelong friends.
Friends are invited to call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 and Saturday from 9:00 to 10:30 am in the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Church in Wellsville with Rev. Patrick O’Keefe as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bolivar.
Memorial suggestions include the Arts and Music programs at the Immaculate Conception School in Wellsville or the Whitesville Central School; where she taught after she retired from Alfred.
