Obituary of Helen M. Bunce

Greenwood Lake, NY

Helen Marie Bunce, 85, passed away suddenly after a very short struggle with cancer on April 23, 2026, in Warwick, NY.  Born on December 12, 1940 to Francis J Nowak, Sr & Helen Veronica Nowak (Lee) in Bronx, NY.  Helen ("Nana") lived a fun & fulfilling life surrounded by the people & activities she held dear.

Helen found joy in life's simple pleasures & had a profound love for the outdoors.  She enjoyed reading (especially outdoors during the warmer NY state months) She cherished time spent at the family cabin where she created treasured memories dating back to the early 60s.  Helen moved to Greenwood Lake in 2007 with her daughter Lisa & her husband Richie whom she was pals with.  She loved Greenwood Lake & it wasn't too different from Milton, NY where she raised Lisa amongst the apple orchards.  Helen also enjoyed casino trips & going out to eat.  She also recently found a new love of darts & played weekly with her "Darts Girls" at the American Legion in Greenwood Lake.  She formed many friendships & belonged to the Ladies Auxiliary where she participated & helped run many events held there. She was also a member of the Greenwood Lake Elks.  And Helen sure loved her Giants football team. 

Faith played a significant role in Helen's life.  She was a devoted parishioner of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Greenwood Lake. 

Among her greatest joys was family.  Helen adored her granddaughter Skyler & took immense pride in welcoming her great-granddaughter Nova Layne, born in August of 2025, into the world.  Their presence brought light & happiness to her days.  She was also very close with her great-nephew Alex & great-niece Kate Elizabeth.  She loved to visit them in Florida each year (sometimes twice per year) 

Helen was "mom" to many of the kids in Lisa's huge circle of friends & she remained "mom" through their adulthood.  Helen Don, & Lisa's home was home to many of them & she always took them anywhere & everywhere.  Then she did the same with Skyler & her friends who they all called "Nana." 

Helen retired from Copart (vehicle salvage & auction) & was a member of the Marlboro Volunteer Ambulance Corp as well as many other organizations in Ulster County NY.

Helen is survived by her daughter Lisa Marie who was her casino pal, lunch buddy & constant daily companion & her husband Richie (Murphy) of Greenwood Lake, NY.  Her granddaughter Skyler Nicole & her husband Eric (Stevens) & their daughter Nova Layne of Highland Lakes, NJ.  Her sister Betty Ann "Boots" (Tuske) of Estero, FL, her nephew Joseph "Joe-Joe" (Zimmerman) of Greenwood Lake, NY.  Her niece Kerry Ann & her husband David (Houlette) & their 2 children Alex Joseph & Kate Elizabeth of Estero, FL.  Her nephew Steven & his wife Jennifer (Tuske) of Farmingdale, NJ, as well as many cousins in Georgia.

Helen's husband Donald & her brother Frank "Fritz" (Nowak) pre-deceased her.

Helen will be deeply missed by all who knew her.  May her memory bring comfort to those who loved her.

A funeral service will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church to honor Helen followed by a Celebration of Life at the Arthur Finnegan American Legion Post 1443 in Greenwood Lake. Details regarding the date & time will be shared privately with family & friends at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are honorably entrusted to Zygmunt-Murtie Funeral and Cremation Service - 845-477-8240 or visit www.zmmemorials.com.