HUDSON FALLS – Helen Etu Rourke, 91, a longtime resident of Hudson Falls, died Monday, June 2, 2014, following a brief illness.
Born on March 30, 1923, Helen was the daughter of William J. and Margaret (Campbell) Etu of Fort Edward. She graduated from Fort Edward High School in 1940 as the valedictorian of her class. She went on to earn her 3-year diploma in nursing from St. Peter’s Hospital School of Nursing in Albany, New York. After her graduation, Helen was employed as a registered nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital.
A devoted wife and mother, Helen shared abundant love and faith with her family, always finding time to provide comfort, encouragement and support. She loved tending to her flowers, vacations on Cape Cod and the “Miracle Mets”. She was a faithful communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hudson Falls.
She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Robert M. Rourke; her brothers William, Paul, John and Roger Etu; her sisters Eleanor Etu, Mary Rose Higgins, Margaret McCarty, Jean Bowe and Patricia Etu.
Helen is survived by her loving daughter and constant companion, Mary Ann Rourke of Hudson Falls; two sons, William E. Rourke and his wife Deborah (Maille) of Hudson Falls, Michael Rourke and his wife Kathleen (O’Brien) of Bothell, Washington; two granddaughters, Caroline and Catherine Rourke, also of Bothell, Washington; several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Tuesday, June 10th, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main Street, in Hudson Falls.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10th, at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Catholic Church on the park in Hudson Falls. The Rite of Committal will follow at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Edward.
The family suggests that memorials take the form of donations to St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Catholic Church.