Helen Chamberlain Mahoney

Helen Chamberlain was born in Fillmore, New York on November 19, 1934, the daughter of Hugh and Winnifred Chamberlain. She grew up along with brothers Page, Tint and Skip in the small village of Caneadea, NY. Her sister Marion died as a young girl. The remaining children attended the one-room schoolhouse there and later Belfast High School.

She wanted to be a teacher, and so went on to attend the State University of New York at Geneseo State. It was there she met Charles Mahoney. They were married two years later on April 21, 1957 at the Caneadea Methodist Church and celebrated 59 years together.

Helen taught kindergarten one year in Livonia and two years in Fillmore, NY and later stayed home to raise their children, Carolyn and David. Helen was a marvelous cook (especially her pies, which won Allegheny County honors). She was also a gifted seamstress, making family clothing, quilts and later prayer shawls for her church in Fort Collins. Chuck and Helen remained in Geneseo where Chuck was a Professor of Biology until 1967, when he received an appointment to the faculty of Colorado State University.

Their summers took them to several national parks, Mount Rainier, Dinosaur, Acadia, and Olympic, where Chuck served as Ranger/Naturalist. At CSU, their nearly 35 summers were served at the beautiful Pingree Park campus where Chuck was Director and later, instructor. Helen and Chuck enjoyed numerous trips to Europe and later a trip around the world with the Semester at Sea program, where Chuck was a faculty member. It was aboard ship that Helen realized she was not to be a sailor, but did enjoy the numerous ports visited in Europe, Africa and Asia.

She was a longtime volunteer with Friends of the Library, sang with the Sunshine Singers and was an active member of First United Methodist Church. Those who knew her best would agree that she was a selfless person…..always caring for others and will be remembered as the “finest ever.” Finally, you would never hear it from her, but she was Queen of the Winter Carnival at Geneseo State and the editor of her college yearbook.

Helen was preceded in death by Chuck in 2016, brothers Page (Betty) Chamberlain and Skip (Ginger) Chamberlain and her son-in-law Harry Hinrichs. She is survived by her children Carolyn Hinrichs and Dave (Lisa) Mahoney. Precious grandchildren include Garrett Hinrichs, Leanne (Colin) Ball, Devyn Mahoney, Kaylin (Koen) Kerremans and Ian Mahoney. She was blessed by a great granddaughter born in May of 2022, Jorie Ball. She is also survived by her brother Tint Chamberlain and sister-in-law, Linda Chamberlain, both of whom reside in New York, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Interment of her cremains will take place at First United Methodist Church of Fort Collins. If you are so inclined, we would ask that you consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or your local Humane Society. (Written by Chuck, prior to his passing in 2016)