Obituary of Helen Wills Marchant

Helen Wills Marchant passed away on April 1, 2023, at the age of 92.  Helen was born in Hamilton, Ohio on December 3, 1930 to her parents Granville and Georgia Wills, originally from Kentucky.  She is predeceased by her beloved grandchildren, Eric Marchant, and Ada Sorensen.  She married, John Marchant in 1952 in Darrtown, Ohio and in 1953 moved to Rochester, NY for work at Kodak.  They celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2022.

They made many moves throughout their marriage, but spent most of their years in the Webster/Fairport area.  They particularly loved their cabin and “farm” in the southern tier.  Truly an oasis for them.  Helen was a tireless homemaker and loving mother.  She loved every place she lived and made each a warm and homey place to live and visit.  One of the best compliments she could get was when guests and friends really felt at home and welcomed in her homes.

Helen was so proud of her children, Larry Marchant (Cindy), Debbie Gill (Tom) and David Marchant (Jane Sorensen).  She supported us all in so many ways.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her so much joy and as they grew older, the big test was when they grew taller than their grandmother!

In the early years in the Rochester area and in Hamlin, NY, she taught Sunday School and later volunteered as leader of the church school, and when the children were older, the 4-H Club.  After the move to the east side of town, she was a frequent volunteer with the Red Cross, which she really enjoyed, traveling with the staff to blood drives.  Helen worked at The New Look in Webster and could put her decorating skills to work there.  She volunteered as secretary for the NY Forest Owners Association, and volunteered in the gift shop at the Fairport Baptist Home for many years.  She missed it very much when she felt she needed to stop.

Helen was passionate and dedicated to documenting her daily activities and events.  If there is one word to describe Helen it was organized.  She could lay her hands on a receipt of something they bought 10 years ago, or tell you to the date when someone last visited in the last quarter century.  She was an incredible organizer and while her husband and children hated to be coerced into organizing their shop, garage or room, her ability to organize made cleaning fun and everyone always loved the end result.

She loved reading, playing bridge, gardening, and decorating.  She became an accomplished weaver, was a great cook, loved scrabble, FreeCell on the computer, garage sales and getting a bargain!  Helen loved to entertain and had a lot of opportunity to do that, enjoying all the work-related parties, bridge club and casual meals with all their wonderful friends.

A celebration of Helen’s life will take place at Willard H. Scott Funeral Home, Webster, NY on April 22, 2023.  Gathering at 11 o’clock, service at 12 o’clock.  Burial will immediately follow the service at Webster Rural Cemetery.   Reception to follow.