Obituary of Helen J. Buanno

Helen J. Buanno, 70, of Opalka Rd in Fort Johnson passed away on August 23, 2019 at Wilkinson Residential Healthcare Facility after a long courageous battle with cancer.

Helen was born on January 24, 1949 to the late William and Stella Opalka. She graduated salutatorian of her senior class at Fonda Fultonville High School in 1967 and went on to graduate from Fulton Montgomery Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science. Helen worked at Fulton Montgomery Community College as a Secretary for a short time before deciding to leave to dedicate more time to her family as a wife and mother.

Helen was very active in her community, a devout Christian she spent much of her time volunteering with Saint Stanislaus Church where she was a member of the Festival Committee and began a raffle program that became very popular due in part to the beautiful baskets she made for the event. Helen gladly donated her time and talent to other community events and organizations such as the Fulton Montgomery Community College Foundation where she was an honorary member, as well as the Miss Fonda Fair Pageant which she organized for 10 years. Helen was extremely supportive of her family in all their ventures, she worked diligently with her daughter Heather to groom her to become Miss Fulton County, and also encouraged her husband Joe to participate in the NYS Truck Driving Championship in which he became a huge success winning State Champion several times including Grand Champion thanks to her help and support. Helen loved visiting her daughter Kristine and family in Maryland, where they would visit the National Christmas Tree every year.

Ms. Helen Opalka and Mr. Joseph Buanno were united in holy matrimony on August 11, 1973 and spent 46 wonderful years together.

In addition to her husband Helen is survived by daughter Heather L. Dukes and her husband Chad E. Dukes of Schenectady, NY, daughter Kristine DuPree and her husband Kevin DuPree of Gaithersberg MD, as well as her grandson Kendrick Dupree of Gaithersberg, MD. She also leaves behind her sister Mary Ann Biedermann of Salt Lake City, UT, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents William and Stella, as well as her brother Richard Robert Opalka who passed away in 2012.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at 11:00a.m. at Saint Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church 52 Cornell St Amsterdam, NY 12010 with the Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis presiding. Burial will take place at St. John’s Cemetery following the funeral service. Family and friends are invited and may call on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 from 4:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. at Betz Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010.