Helen Coffey Sulzman

Helen C. Sulzman

TROY - Helen C. Sulzman, wife of the late John H. Sulzman, M.D., died Thursday, November 8, 2007 at home, following a long illness.

Born in Troy, the former Helen Coffey was a daughter of the late State Supreme Court Justice James V. Coffey and the late Helen Scallen Coffey. Mrs. Sulzman was a graduate of Catholic Central High School in Troy and Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

Mrs. Sulzman had been employed as a caseworker for the Rensselaer County Department of Public Welfare and later taught religious education at Sacred Heart School in Troy. She was a former member of the Community Chest (now the United Way), a past president of the Seton Day Nursery Guild, and for many years served in various capacities on the board of St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary. Mrs. Sulzman had been an active member of the local chapter of the Trinity College Alumnae Association and, in 1988, represented Trinity College at the inauguration of Dr. Sara S. Chapman as President of Russell Sage College.

Mrs. Sulzman was also a former member of the Country Club of Troy, the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, a longtime member of Troy Chromatic Concerts, as well as other community organizations.

Survivors include five sons: James Francis Sulzmann (Margaret) of North Adams, MA, Dr. Frank Malcolm Sulzman II (Dr. Patricia) of Islip, NY, Paul William Sulzmann of Troy, Timothy Michael Sulzman (Michelle) of Nashville, TN and Charles Michael Sulzman, M.D. (Susan) of Troy; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren to whom she will always be "DeeDee"; daughter-in-law Susannah L. Sulzman of Albany and Marguerite L. Sulzman of Tampa, FL. She is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Stanley E. Trimble (Jane) of Troy and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Sulzman was the mother of the late John H. Sulzman, Jr. and an infant son, Michael Sulzman. She was a sister of the late Eugene V. Coffey, James V. Coffey, Jr., Mrs. Powers Clinton (Mary Louise), Mrs. Luke J. Cavanagh (Florence) and Mrs. Richard Y. Bayly II (Martha).

The family wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County for their dedicated care and support, with a special note of appreciation to Veronica Chaplin.

Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, November 13, at 9:30 am from Sacred Heart Church, Troy. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. There will be no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Seton Health Foundation PO Box 985, 1444 Massachusetts Ave. Troy, NY 12180 or The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County 295 Valley View Boulevard Rensselaer, NY 12144.

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