Helen L. Hess

Helen L. Hess of 6018 Lyke Rd, Trumansburg, passed away at home on Monday, November 9, 2009 at the age of 99.

Born in Kooskia, Idaho on September 4, 1910, Helen was the daughter of Jacob F. and Ida M. (Raiski) Luoma who emigrated from Finland to America in 1902. In 1921 the Luoma family came across the United States by train and settled on a farm in Trumansburg. With English as a second language, Helen graduated Salutatorian from the Trumansburg High School in 1928. She married Miller Hess on September 10, 1932, and for 50 years of their marriage they resided in the Hess Family Home in Podunk and raced harness horses until Miller's death on May 8, 1997. They loved the sport and traveled along the east coast of the US with their stable of horses.

Following her retirement from Cayuga Medical Center in 1976, Helen and Miller took many trips. She also continued to play cards with her Finnish friends and enjoyed the challenge of word puzzles. Helen established many friendships through her memberships in the Trumansburg United Methodist Church and the Podunk Ladies Club.

In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by four sisters, Marie Helmuth, Ellen Miller, Kay Edna Koste and Ruth Makie. She is survived by one daughter, Patricia (Edward) Stevenson of Trumansburg; three grandchildren, Earl, Heather and Neil and five great-grandchildren, Nathan, Samantha, Daytona, Kortney and Madison.

In keeping with Helen's wishes, services and interment at Grove Cemetery will be private.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Helen's memory to kindly consider the Trumansburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 628, Trumansburg, NY 14886 or a charity of the donor's choice.