ALTAMONT — Helen Edna Winkler Fries, who square danced with her husband, baked pies for auxiliary dinners, and won at dominoes, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland.

She died on her 95^th birthday, surrounded by her loving family, who were at her side not only to witness her passing but to celebrate her birthday, “on which she was reunited for a birthday dance with her husband of 59 years, Robert Fries,” her family wrote in a tribute.

She was born to the late Fred and Jennie Winkler, at the family homestead in Salisbury, New York, the oldest of seven children.

“She was married to Bob, who was from ‘the big city’ of Schenectady, on July 27, 1946,” her family wrote. “The only event to interrupt their romance of 59 years was his death in 2005.”

To help with the war effort, Mrs. Fries worked at General Electric. “At the time, she worked with Lee, Bob’s sister, who suggested Bob would love to receive letters from back home while he was stationed in the Pacific with the 5th Army Air Force,” her family wrote. “This began their courtship until his return from the service, when after a few months, he asked for her hand in marriage. The rest, as they say, is history.”

After her youngest child started school, Mrs. Fries started working for the Guilderland Central School District in the cafeteria. Mrs. Fries later attended Spencer Business School to learn data processing, and went on to work at Schenectady International, where she became fast friends with Peg Rau. “After their retirement, these two ladies would often be gone for hours, just for coffee and to catch up on the news,” her family wrote.

The Fries were founding members of the Altamont Station Squares, a square dance group. Mrs. Fries was a member of the Altamont Senior Citizens, an active member of the Altamont Reformed Church for over 60 years, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies’ Auxiliary, where she often baked pies for the various dinners.

“She loved to read and reminisce, picnics, pansies, and popcorn,” her family wrote. “Helen loved spending time with her family, playing dominos, where she always seemed to win every game.

“Helen always greeted everyone she met with a smile and had a great sense of humor.”

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Helen Edna Winkler Fries is survived by her four children, Thomas Fries, and his wife, Jan, of Howes Cave; Karen Scolaro and her husband, Ken, of Schenectady; Debra Sivack and her husband, Stephen, of Altamont; and Paul Fries, of Defreestville. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, John, Krista, Kenny, Heather, Jennie, Shaheed, and Nikolai, and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Robert Winkler, Doris MacIntosh, Stella Dillon, and Glen Winkler, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, Fred and Jennie Winkler, died before her, as did her husband, Robert Fries; her brother, Ralph Winkler; her sister, Marion Fox; and her son-in-law, Louis Tolliver.

A funeral service was held on March 1 at Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont, with interment at Schenectady Memorial Park. Online condolences may be made at www.fredendallfuneralhome.com

The family thanks the staff of Our Lady of Mercy Life Center for the loving care she received. Although flowers are welcome, contributions may also be made to the Altamont Reformed Church, 129 Lincoln Ave., Altamont, New York 12009 or to the Boyd-Hilton VFW Ladies’ Auxiliary, 11 Mill Street, Altamont, New York 12009.