Helen M. Taft, 85, of Rochester, passed away on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at Memorial Medical Center.

Helen was born on September 10, 1932, the daughter of William and Dorothy Nicholson Cowie. She married Jean “Jack” Taft on March 17, 1955; he preceded her in death.

Helen was a member of Questers and the Springfield Craft Club.  She enjoyed painting and was a loving mother and grandmother.

She was also preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by two daughters, Cynthia (Keith) Gibbs of Springfield and Tammy (John) Poffenberger of Rochester; four grandchildren, Shawn (Dan Wakefield) Gibbs, Nicole (Fiance Andrew Israel) Melchiorri, Lindsay Melchiorri and Courtney Poffenberger; and one great grandson, Hudson Israel.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester.  Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Protective League.

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