Helen Marie Webbe, of Otisville, NY, formerly of Long Island and a longtime resident of White Lake, NY, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 in Liberty, NY. She was 80.

The daughter of Meta Henningsen, Helen was born prematurely in Brooklyn, NY on September 19, 1931, weighing two pounds. She spent six months in an incubator at Bethany Deaconess Hospital.

Helen’s early years were spent in boarding school at St. Agnes in College Point. During the summer she was a camp counselor and avid swimmer. One of her earliest nature occurred at the lake, when she watched a snake grab a frog from a rock, just as the frog plucked a darning needle from the air. This forever inspired her love of nature and instilled in her the precious balance of life.

In 1952 Helen married Bill Webbe. Later the family moved to White Lake. Helen managed a bungalow colony in White Lake for 27 years, and was the resident nurse to people and animals alike. Later she took up watercolor painting. Her chicken soup was legendary.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, William J. Webbe Sr.; daughter Deborah Webbe-LoGerfo of Long Island; son William J. Webbe Jr. of Liberty, NY; daughter-in-law Raquel Webbe; grandchildren Nicholas W. Webbe, Vincent A. Webbe, and Lizette Andino-Berrios; one great-grandchild; and Tante Anneliese Pfannkuche and family of Hamburg, Germany.

Services were held on Saturday, February 11 at the Holy Name of Jesus Church, 45 Highland Avenue, Otisville, NY.