COPENHAGEN, NY – Helen Irene Demko Pogge, 67, of Phalen Drive, Copenhagen, and formerly of Croghan, passed away Saturday evening, Dec. 14, 2019, at Lewis County General Hospital.
Calling hours will be held noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., 5702 Waters Road, Lowville. There will be no funeral service. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in West Lowville Rural Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at Lewis Lanes immediately following the calling hours.
Helen was born on June 30, 1952 in Lowville, NY, a daughter of the late William “Walter” Demko and Mildred Maude Beyer Demko. She was raised on the last dairy farm in the Town of Montague, graduating from Lowville Academy in 1970 and earning a degree in early childhood education from Cobleskill ATC in 1972.
While in school Helen worked for Kraft Foods and in July 1974, was married to Hans J. Pogge at the First Presbyterian Church in Lowville.
Helen then moved to Latham where she was founding Director of Park Side Preschool, before working as an assistant special education teacher for North Colonie schools. She then worked as directing teacher for Viking Childcare Center at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY until her retirement.
Helen was a den leader and committee chairperson for Boy Scouts of America Pack #62, and a member of the following organizations; Blue Creek PTA and Parent Advisory Committee, the NYS Teacher’s Association, Schuyler Meadows Country Club in Loudonville, NY, the Adirondack-Tug Hill Tourism Council and the Croghan Planning Committee. She enjoyed being the Assistant Secretary of the Railroad Historical Society of NNY and made many contributions to these various groups over the years.
Helen was an educator not only in profession but also in life. She enjoyed writing, journaling, reading, cooking, gardening, wildcrafting and spending time outdoors. She reminded us to look for the magic in life, to share your hot chocolate, and always have a Plan B.
She is survived by two children, Christopher Pogge and his companion, Eryn Keefe of Colonie; Erika and Rashaun Brewer of Latham; her siblings, Steve Demko of Glenfield; Colleen and Mitch Oakland of Stuart, FL; Roxanne Demko of Castorland; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents, William Walter Demko and Mildred Demko Nuffer; her step-father, Warren Nuffer; aunts, uncles and cousins.
A special thank you to her personal angel here on earth, Diane Micek, for her friendship, caretaking, conversations and unending support.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Railroad Historical Society of NNY, PO Box 317, Croghan, NY 13327.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.