Obituary of Helen L. Coots

Helen L. (Chase) Coots February 4, 1936 – April 26, 2020 Bath, New York: Helen L. Coots, wife of the late Calvin C. Coots, Sr., passed away April 26, 2020 at her daughter’s home, surrounded by all of the love they had. Helen was born February 4, 1936, the daughter of Elden and Dorothy (Tapley) Chase in Milo, Maine. Her heart longed for the majestic woodlands of Maine her entire life. She left Maine to come to New York when her first husband, Clair D. Bragg, Sr., left the military to pursue his college education at Alfred State. Helen is survived by her children, Roger Bragg (Pat) of Savona, NY, Deborah LoVette-Watkins (Randy), of Tyrone, NY, Brian H. Bragg of Bath, NY, Clair Bragg, Jr. of Florida and Arcade, NY, a treasured daughter -in-law, Kim Bragg of Arcade, NY., her grand-children Jeffrey LoVette (Colleen McGurgan) of Horseheads, Laura LoVette (Thomas Stevens) of Campbell, Stephanie Bragg (Ian Schoenig) of Ohio, Heather Bragg of Bath, NY, Brian M. (Crystal) Bragg, of Corning, Marguarite (Maggie) Bragg of Florida, Joseph Bragg of Arcade, Valerie (Bragg) Jackson of Attica, NY, Allen Coots (Samantha) of Bath, NY and Sabrina (Christopher) Elliott, Campbell, NY, Stepsons Calvin Coots, Jr (Deceased), Dennis Coots, Joseph Coots and Steve Coots and many great grandchildren to include McKayla Rose, the absolute light of her life, along with Thomas, Jordan, and Haley. Helen is survived by her sister and dear companion Mary Elizabeth (Thomas) Urusky, her loving brothers Walter (Irene) Chase, Peter (Faith) Chase, sister Miriam Culpepper, and many, many nieces and nephews. Helen retired from the Bath Veteran’s Administration Medical Center after 20 years of Service. She taught herself to drive and later, developed a computer proficiency as that technology was emerging. She was an avid homemaker, gardener, novel and movie enthusiast, and dog breeder (German Shepherds). She loved going to the Antique Tractor Shows and Tractor Pulls with her husband. She was an active and founding member, and secretary of the Two-Cylinder Club in the Bath/Howard area for many years. Helen was a great fan of commercialized / entertainment wrestling and of playing video games – past-times that endeared her to several of her grandchildren who shared the same interests. Helen fostered over thirty-three (33) foster children for Steuben County in the late 1950’s, and 1960’s. Helen rarely spoke of her childhood but often of her predeceased parents, Elden and Dorothy, her beautiful sister Madeline and her husband, Frederick Lindsay, Sr., her brothers Charles, Fred, and another sister, Anna. There was so much to this wonderful and beautiful person – but the most important things to her were; the love of her siblings, the idea of family, the happiness and successes of her own children, her pride and love for all her extended family. She had a way of talking to her children and grands that fostered a deep, and trusting love and respect in their mom and “Grammie”. She will be so incredibly missed. She asked to be cremated, no service or viewing. Her ashes will be placed in Howard next to her husband, in Maine where her heart lingered, and with her daughter who can’t bear the thought of life without her mom. Gifts in Helen’s memory can be offered through donations to the Bath SPCA.