Obituaries - Helen G Temple

Helen G. Temple died on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Mountainside Residential Facility, where she had resided for the past few years.  Helen was born on December 23, 1935, in Ellenville, NY, the youngest of six children, to Dewitt and Matilda (Schwartz) Curtis. 

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Jesse Temple, on June 24, 2006. Helen and Jesse met while working at Kass Inn, Margaretville and eloped to Waterford, CT and married on September 20, 1961. Helen and Jess purchased a home in Halcottsville and raised two daughters. Helen later had her own business cleaning homes, offices, and places such as the library. Helen took pride in her home and where she worked and everything had to be immaculate, but she said dusting all those books at the Fairview Library was going to be the death of her.

Helen loved books and animals. There were dogs, cats, parakeets, a pony, a rabbit, and fish. She went with daughter Sherry to Ohio to visit her grandson and wanted to take home his pet ferret. Never had we thought she’d spend all that time cuddling a ferret.

Helen was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, four brothers, Robert, Willis, Harry, and Virgil, and too many friends and family members. Helen is survived by her sister, Vera Wranovics, of Halcottsville and nephew Lindy Wranovics, her daughters Sherry Temple and Sharon Gavette. Four grandchildren, Rian (Molly) McCaulley, of Auburn, IN; Keith (Rose-Anne) Gavette, Kayla (Greg) Montminy, and Kristi Gavette, of Margaretville and twelve great grandchildren. She is also survived by her stepson Steven (Rita) Temple of Pepperell, Massachusetts and his family. 

At Helen’s request there will be no calling hours or funeral. Helen is being cremated per her wishes and will be inurned next to her husband at the Halcottsville Cemetery at a later date. If anyone would like to make a donation in her name to an animal shelter, that would have brought her joy. Helen’s family would like to thank everyone at Mountainside for the wonderful care and patience dealing with a lady who was a bit stubborn, a bit moody, and a bit funny. She will be missed.