Helen M. Ripple
1/27/29 thru 4/6/19


Helen is the distant cousin of former President James Garfield.

As a child, she battled infantile paralysis and received a personal letter from President Roosevelt congratulating her on her victory over Polio.

After graduating from North HS and Comptometer school, she went on to work for American Stores In Syracuse as executive secretary.

In 1950 Helen married Richard Jacobs, a WWII Navy Veteran, of Baldwinsville, New York. Together they have four children, Penny Nelson(Albert) Earl Jacobs (Jackie) Candy Glenn (Gary) and Teddy Jacobs, her youngest daughter who had Down Syndrome. Helen was Teddy's constant companion and caregiver until her death. She was preceded in death by her brother, Chuck and her parents, Helen and Frederick Ripple. She is survived by her sisters, Dawn Smolnycki (Dave) and Reka Eidt along with 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

While living in INDIANA she served as a Teacher's Aide at the Greater Clark Co Schools in Jeffersonville, IN.

She was a member of the B'ville Garden Club and an ardent NASCAR fan with a devotion to Jeff Gordon.

In her 90 years, Helen Ripple has exhibited perseverance, strength and an undaunting desire to live life to its fullest on her own terms. This spirit saw her through battles with polio And the complexity of raising a child with Down Syndrome.


Expressions of sympathy can be made in the form of donations to GiGi's Playhouse, Down Syndrome Achievement Center, Syracuse, NY, 5885 East Circle Drive, Ste 250, Cicero, NY 13039