Violet Mae Helms Derby

Mrs. Derby was born Jan. 14, 1922, in the Village of Randolph, the daughter of the late Christopher Botsford Helms and Muriel Genevieve Burroughs Helms.

Violet was a 1939 graduate of Randolph Central School. She retired in 2002 as the Cattaraugus County Deputy Treasurer, where she was a senior account clerk. Earlier on in her marriage, in addition to being a homemaker, she had worked for 14 years for the former Jamestown Royal Upholstery and Furniture, where she was the office manager.

Mrs. Derby was an active member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Randolph, where she served on the Vestry, she was the former chair of the Women’s Association, Altar Guild and taught Sunday school for over 50 years.

Her memberships included, three term Deputy Mayor for the Village of East Randolph, treasurer of the Randolph Community Cupboard, Randolph American Legion Auxiliary Unit 181, past matron of the Order of Eastern Star Randolph Fidelity Chapter 239, past deputy president of the Rebekah Lodge 353 in Little Valley and past president of the Southern Tier Matinee Association. She additionally loved her family dearly and she and her late husband, Willard were well known for their breeding of race horses, as well as avid bowlers.

She is survived by three children: Marcia (Ronald) Pritchard and Ralph (Joyce) Derby, all of East Randolph and Mary Carpenter of Jamestown; her long time caregiver and former son-in-law, Donald “Jamie” Carpenter, with whom she shared her home; 13 grandchildren; many great- grandchildren and great- great-grandchildren. She also had many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents, Christopher and Muriel Helms; husband, Willard E. Derby, whom she married on May 6, 1943, and who preceded her in death on June 13, 1995; a son, John E. Derby in 2005; a sister, Geraldine Langworthy; and three brothers: Vincent, Robert and Roger Helms.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 4-7 p.m., Monday (March 25, 2019) in the Van Rensselaer & Son Funeral, 14 Church St., Randolph. Funeral services will be held at 11a.m., Tuesday in the Grace Episcopal Church, corner of Center and Washington streets in Randolph. The Rev. Thomas Broad, rector of the Church will officiate. Burial will be in the East Randolph Cemetery.

To leave a condolence, log onto www.vanrensselaerandsonfuneralhome. com.

Memorials, if desired may be sent to the Grace Episcopal Church in Randolph or to the Randolph Community Cupboard.