HELEN “HI HI” SUTTON PARSONS
RETIRED TELEPHONE OPERATOR
Town of Wappinger – Helen “Hi Hi” Sutton Parsons, age 93, a caring and loving lady, and a Town of Wappinger resident, died January 4, 2023, at her home.
She was born in Poughkeepsie on April 19, 1929, the daughter of Arthur M. Sutton and Helen (Yeno) Sutton.
Helen attended grade school in a one-room school in Clove Valley, Town of Union Vale and then Pawling High School.
At age 13, with her parents’ permission, she and a neighbor lady, Katherine Kenyon, went on a 500 mile bicycle trip to Carolina, Rhode Island. They also made several side trips during their stay there. She earned $10 to help finance her trip by picking blueberries at the Judge John E. Mack’s farm in North Clove. She was paid 5 cents a quart. She treasured the newspaper article and picture that appeared in the Poughkeepsie Journal in July of 1942, about their great adventure of that time.
Always willing to work, one summer at age 14, she worked as a maid for a widow lady who spent the summer in the Millbrook area. The lady was so impressed with her work, she asked Helen to move to Manhattan and work for her there. Naturally, her parents didn’t approve of that.
In the fall, she’d husk corn for 10 cents a bushel for the Clove Valley Rod and Gun Club where her father worked. The corn was used to feed the pheasants and ducks raised there.
At age 16, she quit school, moved to Poughkeepsie to live with a cousin and during the next year, worked as a meat packer for Knauss Brothers meat company and then as a sales girl for the Wallace Company Department store.
At 17, she was encouraged by a friend to apply for employment at the N.Y. Telephone Company where she worked as a switchboard operator for 31 years. She was proud to retire at 48 and enjoy the good life. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
On March 18, 1950, in the Zion Episcopal Church in the Village of Wappingers Falls, she married William T. (Bill) Parsons, who predeceased her on May 12, 2007.
In 1993, Helen, along with her husband Bill and her brother-in-law, John Parsons, was instrumental in the commissioning and financing of the Town of Wappinger World War II War Memorial located at the intersection of Myers Corners and All Angels roads in the Town. In 1994, Helen and Bill, and Bill’s brother John, were honored by the Exchange Club of Southern Dutchess. They each received the club’s Annual Meritorious Service Award for Outstanding Community Service.
She had many pen pals with whom she exchanged pictures and newspaper articles. A comparison shopper, she’d pass information on to others where the best buys were.
After receiving numerous Teddy bears and other stuffed animals, plus a few porcelain dolls as gifts from many friends and relatives, she became an avid collector. She acquired a wardrobe for many of them so she could change their clothing with the seasons.
In the summer months, she, and her husband Bill, would display some of the many Parasol Lawn Dolls they had. They were enjoyed by many who passed their home. Some commented the displays were a second to Cypress Gardens. Guests would take pictures of them outside their home.
During her childhood years, in Clove Valley, she attended the little old Clove Christian Church which is now the Valley Bible Fellowship Church. She appreciated the peacefulness of the area.
She is survived by two nephews, Marshall A. Chilton, Hollywood, FL and Daniel Diesing, Town of Wappinger; three nieces, Ernesta Sutton Spero of Virginia, Michele Sutton of Poughkeepsie and Cheryl Sutton Wiler of Pennsylvania; five grandnieces, Tiffany Lynn Tai, Amanda Nichole Oconnell, Ashley Marie de Baun, Mollie Danielle Diesing and Katie Lynn Diesing; one great grandniece, Jayla Ivory Oconnell and her brother-in-law, James N. Parsons of Highland, NY.
She was predeceased by her parents; a brother Ernest G. Sutton; sister and best friend, Marilyn J.S. Diesing, and niece, Marilyn J.M. Boyette.
Helen had a bond with the entire Diesing family. She was extremely grateful to the entire community for being so concerned about her welfare after the passing of her husband, Bill. She treasured the friendship of Jennifer Norton who was like family to her and Felice Russotto, who was an exceptional neighbor and dear friend.
A private funeral will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Helen and Bill’s mausoleum in the Wappingers Rural Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul’s Funeral Home, Hopewell Junction, N.Y.
Helen wanted to thank the nurses, social workers and volunteers at Hudson Valley Hospice; Dr. Edward Schneider, his wife Sheila, and his staff; her nephew, Danny, and her friends from Meadowbrook Farm; and for the wonderful care and love from her private caregivers, Maxine, and Cheryl.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or online at https://www.hvhospice.org/.
