Helen G. Ebersole, who served as President of the Fenton’s board of Trustees from 1980 to 1990, passed away peacefully at her home on June 19, 2024, at the age of 101.
She was born on March 17, 1923, in Poland, Ohio, to Levi and Pauline (nee Gould) Good. She had siblings Jean and Paul. Her father worked various jobs, including farming and repairing school buses, while Helen helped the family by selling homegrown strawberries during the Great Depression.
Helen attended Juniata College in Pennsylvania, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree and met her husband, Glen M. Ebersole. They married in 1945 and moved to Detroit for Glen’s residency. Helen taught in private schools to support the family. They settled in Jamestown, in 1963, where Glen established a radiology practice, and Helen began her extensive community involvement.
Helen earned a Master’s in History from SUNY Fredonia and wrote several books on local history, including “Electricity and Politics in Jamestown,” “Chautauqua Lake Hotels,” and “An ImPressive Record,” a history of the local newspaper. Her work provided valuable insights into the region’s past.
She served on the Board of the Southwestern Central Schools, including a term as president, and was active in numerous community organizations. Helen also served as the Lakewood Village Historian and led a successful fund drive to expand the Lakewood Memorial Library, earning the John D. Hamilton Community Service Award in 2009. Helen was also a musician, serving as Concert Master for the Jamestown Community Orchestra and playing both violin and piano.
As president of the Fenton Historical Society, she oversaw significant improvements and new exhibits.
“While I was not around when Helen was regularly at the Fenton Mansion, she did stop in from time to time to offer her expertise if it was needed. She was never pretentious or domineering but was always gracious and sincere. It was always nice to see her.”
“A very nice, kind, generous and intelligent lady. A great asset to her community.”
“Helen Ebersole was a remarkable lady who shared her love of local history by writing popular books which were cherished by many people in our area.”
“Helen was sharp, kind, interesting, and so dedicated to Jamestown’s greatness and great history.”
“Helen was an excellent historian and a treasured part of our community.”
“Her dedication to preserving Jamestown’s history was extraordinary, her work with and for the Fenton Historical Society broad and deep and much appreciated.”
“A life well lived. Her writings about south county history have been studied by many and will be studied by many in generations yet to come.”
“A remarkable woman.”
Donations in Memory of Helen Ebersole: Renate Bob, Anita Chadwick, Carol Drake, Roger Gilbert, Karen Ingeman, Rolland & Jane Kidder, John & Rhonda LaMancuso, Patricia LaMancuso, Stanley & Sara Lundine, Lynne Reading, Estate of Kathleen S. Riley, Esther Robson, Stephanie Schell, Linda Voltmann Swanson, Janet Wahlberg
