Helen L. Lister

June 29, 2008 Helen L. Lister, 81, of 1167 Gill St., died Sunday at the Samaritan Medical Center where she had been a patient for one month.

Mrs. Lister started her career with New York Telephone in 1946 as a telephone operator and retired after 37 years with the company as an advanced assignment clerk. Mrs. Lister was a member of Holy Family Church and the Telephone Pioneers. She enjoyed spending time with her family, summers at their cottage on Point Peninsula, embroidering and crocheting.

She was born in Watertown, July 2, 1926, a daughter of Elmer and Ann Tiernan Forbes. She was educated in Watertown schools. She married Albert E. Lister, August 31, 1946 at Trinity Episcopal Church. Mr. Lister is a retired City of Watertown Fire Department Battalion Chief.

Besides her husband, she is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Michael L. and Christine, Romulus. 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia A. “Tina” and Bruce Lynch, Sue and Gary Oatridge, all of Watertown. 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren. One brother, Richard Forbes, No. Carolina. One nephew and several cousins. An infant brother and sister predeceased her.

The funeral will be Wednesday 10 am at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home with her grandson, Rev. Shane Lynch, pastor of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wells and St. James Major in Lake Pleasant, officiating. Burial will be in North Watertown Cemetery. Calling hours are Tuesday from 2p – 4pm at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson Co.