December 3, 2012

CLAYTON, N.Y.  —  Hellie Ingerson, 85, of Mutton Lane, passed away Monday morning, Dec. 3, at her home.

The family requests no visitors at Mutton Lane, but please join them for a celebration of her life noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Clayton Fire Dept., Graves Street.

Burial will be in St. Lawrence Union Cemetery, town of Cape Vincent, in the spring at the convenience of the family. 

Arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton.

Born August 20, 1927, in Clayton, daughter of Thomas H. and Rena Bartlett Slate, she graduated from Clayton High School and had attended Keuka College, studing music and psychology.

She married Leo F. Ingerson on April 16, 1948, in the rectory of St. Mary's Church with Rev. George E. Racette officiating.

She was a homemaker, a member of the Clayton Baptist Church and had also been a deacon and a trustee for the church. 

She was a member of the American Legion Post 821 Ladies Auxiliary and had received the Sons of the American Legion Color Guard Service Award. She was the founder of the St. Lawrence Clover Kickers and had her own radio show, "A Date with Slate". 

Hellie volunteered in local hospital, nursing homes, and for shut-ins with her music ministry. She had sang with numerous bands, including Jack Tooley and Ray LaBounty. Her singing included many restaurants and countless weddings and funerals. 

In 1987 she was Citizen of the Year in Clayton. 

She was an avid reader, wrote poetry, and loved to hunt. 

A special thanks from the family goes to Dr. Stephen Grybowski and Colleen Westcott.

Besides her husband, Leo, she is survived by a son and his wife, Leo Todd and Faye E. Ingerson, Clayton; a daughter and her companion, April Joy Ingerson and Bernie Laplante, Chaumont; four grandchildren, Lauri Lin Namisnak, Ami J. Schnauber, Jamie J. Ingerson, and Brian M. Ingerson; seven great-grandchildren, Mary Namisnak, Tristen Abbott, Harrison Wilson, and Noah, Hannah, Micah, and Leah Ingerson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her stepmother, Hazel Warner Slate.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations in Hellie's name to the Clayton Food Pantry at St. Mary's Church, 521 James St., Clayton, NY 13624. 

Condolences to the family may be made at www.cummingsfuneral. com.

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown