Obituary of Helen F. Scott

DELMAR – Helen Rae Farrell Scott died surrounded by her family in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Peter's Hospital on April 27, 2018 after a brief illness. Born in Albany to Charles E. and Marion (Smith) Farrell, Helen was raised in Rensselaer and Lake Placid, where she graduated from Lake Placid High School. She graduated from the Albany College of Pharmacy with a Bachelor's Degree in Medical Technology. After working at Bender Labs and St. Peter's Hospital, Helen became the Supervisor of the Blood Bank at Albany, where she worked on the first cryoprecipitates for hemophiliacs and the first open heart surgeries. Later she worked for the New York State Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled, from which she retired in 1996. Helen was an avid and accomplished choral singer in the Capital District for 60 years. As a member of the Capitol Hill Choral Society she sang in the Philadelphia Orchestra's premiere performance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center under Eugene Ormandy. At SPAC she also sang under Richard Rodgers, Arthur Fiedler and Franz Allers. She performed Messiah approximately 80 times, and the Requiems of Verdi, Mozart, Faure, and others several times each. Singers liked to sit next to her because she knew the music so well. Helen also sang in the church choir at the First United Methodist Church of Delmar for 40 years under Danny Smith, Joseph Farrell and Kenneth Loiacono. She was also active in the Village Stage of Slingerlands and the Progress Club of Delmar. An engaging and spirited person with a great sense of humor, Helen was fun to be around, so she made friends wherever she went. Survivors include her loving husband of 54 years, Eugene A. Scott, whom she married August 22, 1964; her devoted daughters, Susan M. Scott of Rockville, MD and Jennifer L. Scott of Alexandria, VA; her dear brother Charles (Marjorie) Farrell of Northeastham, MA, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, May 4th from 4 to 7 pm at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 5th at 2 pm at First United Methodist Church of Delmar, 428 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. Memorial contributions may be made to Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, 310 So. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 or your favorite charity.