Obituary of Helen-Margaret-Grandish Kirk

ObituaryHELEN MARGARET GRANDISH KIRKITHACA - Helen Margaret Grandish Kirk, age 84, of 101 Savage Farm Drive, died February 5, 2007 at Kendal of Ithaca after a brief illness. She was born May 22, 1922 in Herbster, Wisconsin, to Vaso and Pela Grandish. She completed her nursing degree at Milwaukee General Hospital and then enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps. She was stationed in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Pasadena, California. Her practicality and sense of humor did much to help amputees get back on their feet emotionally as well as physically. Upon discharge from the Army, she was employed at Stamford (Connecticut) General Hospital, where she met Robert Warren Kirk. They were married on December 3, 1949 in Stamford, and a few years later they settled in Ithaca.Helen traveled extensively with Bob for his speaking engagements and was very helpful to him in his publishing endeavors as secretary, editor and helpful critic. She was Bob's right hand in the establishment of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. She was a welcoming presence to new faculty families at the Veterinary College and loved to gather these new "family members" for holiday dinners.Through it all she was a supportive spouse and a fun mom, a Girl Scout troop leader and summer camp nurse at Comstock. She devoted much time and energy to the First Congregational Church in Ithaca, where she helped develop The Prayer Care Tree and had a ministry of welcome for newcomers. She was actively involved in the BJ chapter of PEO.When she was in her forties, she went back to school and earned her Bachelor's degree at SUNY Cortland. She then communicated her passion for bedside nursing to students at TC3, where she was on the faculty. She sat with many friends in times of illness.She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bob; and their three daughters, Kathryn Kirk, Barbara Kirk and Jan Hamilton; son-in-law, Michael Hamilton; two granddaughters, Andrea and Megan; and a new great-granddaughter, Adalia. Helen also is survived by one sister, Gertrude Grandish Diamon of Iron River, Wisconsin.She is preceded in death by her parents; and five siblings, Mary Katherine, George, Anne, Peter, Betty.Services will be at the First Congregational Church of Ithaca, 309 Highland Rd., on Friday, February 9th, at 4 p.m. The family will receive visitors in the Living Room at Kendal at Ithaca on Saturday, February 10, from 10 a.m. to noon.Contributions in Helen's name may be made to the Congregational Church, 309 Highland Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, or Hospicare and Palliative Services of Tompkins County, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.