Helen Louise Coe Hastings passed away peacefully Thursday, April 18th, 2013. She had resided the past six years at Quakers Landing Memory Care facility in Orchard Park, NY where the staff all loved her for her quick country wit, her willingness to help, and her caring and compassion for all the other residents there. Even as her disease progressed she maintained her sense of humor and kind, gentle disposition.

She was born November 18, 1922 to Perry Coe and Julia Rosa Coe, in the farm house next to the Plymouth Church on Franklin Rd. Her father soon moved them to the Coe family farm on Hamden Hill where he grew seed potatoes for a living. Helen and her three siblings, older brother Bill, sister Julie and the youngest, brother Vernon grew up with no electricity, walked to a one room school house and pretty much lived off the land. They had everything they needed but Helen used to say they were so poor the depression in the 1930's never really affected them.

When high school age, Helen moved to her Aunt and Uncle's farm, Argyle and Lillian Neale, on the back side of the river above Walton. She lived and worked there and graduated from Walton High School. On July 16, 1942 she married Charles W. Hastings at the church in Mundale. A bouquet of Helen's favorite Black Eyed Susans adorned the alter. Charles enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, MS. for his training in the medical corp. Helen moved there and lived with the Aycock family who owned a bakery where she developed her life's passion of baking and cake decorating. After the war was over, Helen and Charles moved into the Hastings' home at 24 Park Street where they lived until just after their 60th wedding anniversary when Charles passed on April 27, 2003.

Helen and Charles had two children, Linda in 1948 and Bill 13 months later in 1949.

Helen worked very hard to maintain a nice home for her family. When the kids were young she stayed home and baked. As the family grew she worked at different jobs to help make ends meet. Helen worked in the High School cafeteria, as a proof reader for the Walton Reporter, and at Eureka Tent. She was always baking and decorating cakes for families all over the area. Her home was an open and welcoming place filled with delicious aromas for friends or family at any time. Helen's life was always focused on doing for others. Whether for a sad or happy occasion, she was always there with a dish or baked goods and love in her heart.

Helen was pre deceased by her parents, her husband, her brothers, William Coe of Poughkeepsie, Vernon Coe of Windham, and her sister Julie Albert of Ashland, NY.

She is survived by her son William Hastings and his wife, Kathy, daughter Linda Hastings Bastedo and her husband Jerry. A sister-in-law Sally Knapp and her husband George of Oneonta. Grandchildren Michael Bastedo and his wife Julie, Jason Hastings and his wife Lisa, Mary Rowe, and Meredith Hastings. Several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

When Helen stands before her Lord and Savior he will surely say, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 11th, at the United Methodist Church on North Street in Walton. Burial will follow at the Walton Cemetery on Fancher Avenue. Following the burial, friends and family are invited back to the church for a luncheon.

Memorial Contributions in Helen's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to One's choice.