Obituary of Helen M. de Prado

Helen Marie de Prado passed away on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at Park Manor in Middletown.  She was 71.

The daughter of the late Francis A. Curcio and Helen M. Ruggiero Curcio-Zeh, she was born February 22, 1950, in New York City.

Helen grew up in Wurtsboro where her family owned Curcio’s Tavern in the Hills.  Her family was one of the many original families to purchase a summer home in the Hills in the 1930s.  Helen along with her twin sister, Hazel, and their many friends, spent their summers at the Lake up in the Hills.  She went to St. Joseph’s School in Forestburgh, NY and graduated from Monticello High School.  Helen began her career as a bookkeeper for the Robert Green Dealership and then moved on to work for Sullivan County.  She pursued her bachelor’s degree in counseling, from SUNY Sullivan and Marist College.  She received her master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University.  While working at Veritas Villas, Helen and her colleagues spent a summer in Russia helping develop alcohol treatment centers modeled after ones here.  Helen worked at various treatment centers, including Crystal Run School, Job Corps, Veritas Villas, RECAP, Port Jervis Schools, Catskill Regional Medical Center, Ellenville Hospital, West Point, and Hudson River Healthcare.  She retired from West Point in 2012 as Chief for the Army Substance Abuse Program.  Throughout her life, Helen and her husband, Ray, would be found at flea markets and both art and history centers in pursuit of local finds and treasures.  Helen was a member of the Mamakating Lion’s Club and the Bashakill Area Association.

She is survived by her husband, Raymond de Prado, at home; a daughter, Patricia Adams McCumber & her husband Dennis of Millwood; a granddaughter, Emma; niece Rochelle Walke (Donald) of Pensacola, FL; an uncle John Waclawski & his wife Diana of Wurtsboro; her father-in-law: Guy de Prado of Wurtsboro; sisters-in-law: Connie de Prado and Jeanne de Prado, both from Florida; and several, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her twin sister Hazel; and a niece Kristine.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Thursday, June 10 at 11:00am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 180 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro with Fr. Peter Madori officiating.

Helen’s family would like to thank the countless healthcare professionals that have graciously helped her during her recent illness, especially those at Park Manor in Middletown.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to your local healthcare professionals and frontline workers organizations, the Mamakating Lions Club, or to the Bashakill Area Association.

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