Helen Vivian Bates Solomon Fero, a wonderful mother, wife, aunt, sister, daughter, cousin and friend, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at her home in Monticello. She was 94.

She was the matriarch of five generations and the last of that generation to leave us.

The daughter of the late Lloyd “Bob” Winfield Bates and Mary T. King Bates, she was born May 6, 1930 in Monticello.

Helen graduated from Monticello High School in 1948 where she was active in sports and clubs. She had jobs during and after high school until her first marriage in 1951 to Jake Solomon. Her most important job in life began in 1954 with the birth of her beloved daughter Franci and again in 1957 with the birth of her beloved son, Scott. She then began her life’s calling in motherhood, being the best stay-at-home mom in the world. She later separated from Jake and met Danny Fero whom she eventually married in 1981 and were married until his death in 2015. She worked in Roark’s Tavern for most of the late 70’s and 80’s where she met amazing lifelong friends. Helen was quite talented when it came to home improvement projects and home decorating, she worked well with her hands and wasn’t afraid of hard work which were typically thought of as men’s work such as plumbing, electrical like the son her father never had. She also loved more delicate variety of needle work projects such as sewing, knitting, needle point and crocheting.

She is survived by her loving daughter, and best friend from day one: Franci Solomon-Kirtack and her husband Paul (who was her favorite son-in-law); several nieces and nephews who were like children to her: Dr. Dennis DePace (Donald), Jeri Lynn Mitchell (Butch) and Mary Ellen Lang (Tony), Darren (Jen, Morgan and Liza), Todd (Kelly, Nolan, (Kalean); great-great-great-great niece Paislee,  Bailey, (Sarah), Jeremy Scott (Jen, Abigail and Landon Scott), Dana (Caden, Rhys), Erin (Shota and EllaBlue); Carol Furchak, her family; Jennifer, Al, “my Sarah”, “my David”, Jason, January Jorga and Jenna, in-laws: Andy Fero (Bonnie), and Tracy Fero (Sheri) and families; cousins: Kevin, Debbie, Steve, Patti Ann, Melody, Eric, Kathy, Dale (Isla), Curtis (Carol), Jack (Joan), Jen, and Tommy and families; some of her favorite girls: Hope Deitsch Roche, therapy dog Kya who provided a great comfort and support during her many visits, Dana Deitsch, Lisa Deitsch Jill Ann Lawler, Marian Castelluzzi Venn, Kathy “Kitty” Booth, Corinne Lane, Rosie Stefl, Pat Walsh, Dorothy Doo, Jim and Karen; and their families, many other special relatives, loved ones and friends. 

She was predeceased by her son, Scott; a sister, Martha DePace; her husbands, Jake Solomon and Danny Fero; and a nephew: Edward Furchak Jr.; along with a cousin who was like a sister: Dorothy Breen.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring to honor her life around the time she would have turned 95 years old. 

The family would like to thank everyone at Middletown Park Manor and Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown for the excellent way they cared for mom.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Monticello Fire Dept, the Monticello BPOE Elks Lodge #1544, the Sullivan County SPCA or to the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless.

Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello.  For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com.