Following 102 years of life and love, Helen L. Allmandinger passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025. She had lived with her daughter, Linda (Robert) Graves since March of 2020.

Helen was the youngest of Adelbert and Nora Smith Barringer's five children. Born at home on the edge of Walton, NY, her family enjoyed a large garden, and raised chickens and cows. She learned skills she would use her whole life long. Later in life, she would also teach her children, grandchildren, and any number of children how to use older tools, like a manual milk separator or butter churn, or how to coax along vegetable and flower gardens.

Helen met and fell in love with Walter, who came to work at the GLF (Agway) in Walton. They married in her parent's home on September 18, 1943. Walt and Helen together managed a successful dairy farm for over twenty years, and then transitioned to the owning/operating of Ithaca Tire Co. for twenty more.

Helen graduated from Walton High School in 1940. Her secretarial skills made her a wonderful partner in the family business efforts. They also made her a successful and much appreciated member of the staff at Cornell University where she worked for more than 30 years, the majority as the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Human Ecology.

Of all of the things Helen did or experienced, her greatest and most treasured "works" were her children Linda, Barbara, and Walter, as well as their families as they grew. She encouraged, supported, and often organized activities and service opportunities. She lived out the values of love, faith, family, hard work, and service. Her home was the center of family celebrations where she made each one feel especially loved and, of course, cooked up a storm. The record number of Thanksgiving/Christmas pies is still a debate.

Her entire married life, she was a member of the Caroline Valley Community Church, serving as Sunday School teacher, superintendent, choir member, church secretary, and Willing Workers over the years.

The retirement years allowed for travel adventures with a 5th-wheel and seasonal time in Florida. The flower beds flourished as did the vegetable garden, still going strong. Many vegetables were canned or frozen, for her stocks or those of family and friends. Helen and Walt were also regular contributors of handmade items and dried flowers to the Apple and Fall Festivals.

Helen is remembered by her family with deep love and affection as well as great gratitude for all the many, many ways her life has blessed theirs. She is predeceased by her husband, Walter, and son-in-law, Robert Foster.

Those carrying on her love and legacy include her children, Linda (Robert) Graves of Liverpool, NY; Barbara Foster of Ephrata, PA; and Walter of Houston, TX; five grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Maurer Funeral Home, Inc., 300 Second Street, Liverpool, NY 13088.

Also, calling hours will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 10:30 am to 11:00 am at the Caroline Valley Community Church, 546 Valley Road, Brooktondale, NY 14817 with funeral service to follow at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at the Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden, NY.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Caroline Valley Community Church, P.O. Box 95, Brooktondale, NY 14817-0095 or the Upstate Foundation, 750 E. Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13212.

Please sign the Maurer Funeral Home on-line guestbook for Helen to express your condolences to her family.