Obituary of Mary B. Retchless

MARY B. RETCHLESS Mary B. Retchless, known to everyone as HELLON, passed away on January 7, 2017 at Clifton Springs, NY survived by her husband David, brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Mae Bramlett, of Clarksdale, Mississippi, her grandchildren Corey and Maryssa Kunes, several nieces and nephews, very special friends Gary and Barbara Curtiss, and her cat, the beloved Zangtu. She was predeceased by her daughter Deborah and by three of her brothers. Hellon was born in her Magnolia State on June 11, 1934. She received her B.S Degree from the University of Mississippi and her Masters from the University of Rochester. She specialized in Psychiatric Nursing at University Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, and the V.A. Medical Center, Canandaigua, NY where she developed the first program preparing long term patients to return to the Community. She authored an article on this program which was published in a leading Psychiatric Journal. After receiving her Masters Degree Hellon taught Psychiatric and Public Health Nursing at Keuka College. Hellon served in the United States Army during the Korean conflict, and is a member of American Legion Post 1278 in Honeoye. Hellon served many churches and is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Canandaigua where she was in charge of delivering flowers to shut-in members for five years. She was active in numerous other community organizations including ten years as ombudsman at the M.M. Ewing continuing care facility. She is a life member of the Order of Eastern Star, Eagle Star Chapter in Honeoye, serving as Matron of Chapters in Clifton Springs and Honeoye, District Deputy Grand Matron in 1993 and an Appeals Commissioner for the Grand Chapter in 1995 and 1996. Hellon was active in Republican politics, and in 1976 became the first female elected as Chair of the Ontario County Republican Committee, a position she held for eight years. She was in line to become President of the NYS Federation of Women’s Republican Clubs but declined the presidency to devote her time to the County Republican Committee. In1978 she was one of the leading candidates for Lt. Governor to run with Perry Duryea.