Helen Garriet Lesch “Garry”, 85, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Wilson Memorial Hospital following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a resident of Willow Point Nursing Home in Vestal, NY, for several years, where she was deeply loved and cared for. She is survived by her children: Cheryl Norris (Johnson City), Craig Lesch (Vestal), Rachel and Alberto Aaron (Vestal), and Bradley and Gina Lesch (Boulder, CO); grandchildren: Carl, Theodore, and Mariah Norris; Allason Leitz; Timothy Palmer and Antonio Aaron; Nicholas and Lochlan Lesch; as well as four great-grandchildren, cousins, half-siblings, nieces, and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her brother, August Schmidt (Castle Creek); her son, Scott Lesch (West Windsor); and her granddaughter, Erica Lindenmayer (Middletown, OH).
After her children began school, Helen worked as a bus driver for the Susquehanna Valley School District. She later joined Binghamton High while attending college to study her passion of helping adolescents. She graduated from Broome Community College and Binghamton University. For more than 25 years, Helen worked at the Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference, where she was instrumental in opening and developing the Parent and Child Program. Known for being tough but fair, she was deeply committed to fostering independence in young people. She will be remembered for the many lives she changed. Helen held strong family values and was a proud Ukrainian with roots in Scranton, PA. She loved traveling with friends and family and made sure to share that joy with her grandchildren.
In accordance with Helen’s wishes, no service will be held. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.SavageFS.com. Her full obituary is also available at www.TiersNews.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Savage-Demarco Funeral Service.
