Obituary of Helen F. Ogden

Helen Fergus Ogden of Williston Park, NY passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024. She was 94 years old.

She was born in Jersey City, NJ on December 25, 1929 to Thomas and Helen Fergus and had two sisters, Ann May and Mary.

Helen attended St. Peter’s Catholic Grade School in Jersey City and went on to study English at St. Elizabeth College, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1951. Helen later obtained a Master’s in English Studies from St. John’s and a Master’s in English Literature from Queens College.

Following her college graduation, Helen began working as an Administrator at Equitable Life Insurance in 1952. She later found her calling as a teacher at the New York City Board of Education, where she worked for over 35 years. Following her retirement, she served as an English professor at Lehman College and an adult business writing professor at Cornell Institute.

Helen was married to Stanley William Ogden for over 61 years. They lived in Flushing and Queens Village before making their final move to Williston Park, where they resided together for several decades prior to Stanley’s passing in 2016. They had two sons, Mark and Geoffrey.

Helen placed a high importance on connection with her family and friends, both near and far. Throughout her life, she enjoyed traveling to various parts of the United States and Europe with Stan and spending time with her sisters, sons, three granddaughters, and two great grandchildren. She cherished taking part in meaningful conversations with her loved ones, whether in-person, over the phone, or through letters and email. She was an avid reader, writer, and card player, taking particular joy in Liver Pool Rummy—a family favorite. Helen also belonged to the Williston Park Seniors and routinely took part in the group’s organized social gatherings.

A devote Catholic her entire life, Helen became an active parishioner in 1978 at the Church of Saint Aidan in Williston Park, where she served as a eucharistic minister. She also belonged to Saint Aidan’s prayer group and rosary society and was an associate for Sisters of Charity.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley, her sister, Ann May Koenig, and her daughter-in-law, Laura Jane Ogden. She is survived by her children, Mark Fergus Ogden of Long Beach, NY and Geoffrey Augustine Ogden of Owings, MD, granddaughters Katherine “Katie” Demers (and husband Brandon) of Chesapeake Beach, MD, Megan Hicks (and husband Wayne) of Towson, MD, and Julianne Marie Ogden of Washington, DC. Also surviving are her great grandchildren, Layla Grace and Jack Wyatt Demers, and her sister, Mary Nese (and husband Paul) of Paramus, NJ, and by five nieces and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to :

Click on either link to donate

St. Aidans Church:    www.staidanparish.org

OR:

St Jude Childrens Hospital:  www.stjude.org