EAST GREENBUSH — Helen S. Otterness, who saw the world through the eyes of an artist, teaching both children and grown-ups, found the most joy in gathering her family together.

She died peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. She was 97.

She was born on June 24, 1927, to Sue E. Travers and James W. Damarell in Syracuse, New York.

She earned her associate degree in art from Green Mountain College in 1948. She earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education at Russell Sage College in 1983 and her master of science degree in art education from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1991.

“A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother,” her family wrote in a tribute, “Helen shared her zest for life with her beloved family. Nothing brought her more joy than having her family together, cooking wonderful meals for everyone, and sitting on her patio, enjoying her breathtaking morning glories and other splendid flowers.

“Helen delighted in sharing her artistic talents and nurturing the talent of her beloved students. She taught art for many years at Altamont Elementary School, Fort Hunter Elementary School, Loudonville Christian School, and Van Schaick Elementary School in Cohoes. She also instructed elementary students and adults in private art lessons.

“Helen was an active member of the Colonie Art League, the East Bank Arts Alliance, the National Colored Pencil Society, and the National Art League. She truly saw the world with the eyes of an artist, with a deep appreciation of the beauty in nature, architecture, and people.

“Helen believed that drawing was fundamental. She maintained that it involved the discipline of the mind, eye, and hand all working together. To her, there was so much beauty to express and share through drawing. She specialized in drawing portraits, animal portraits, buildings, flowers, and landscapes, and enjoyed exhibiting her art at art shows and local libraries.

“She was an animal lover, and provided a loving home to many cats over the years. She also loved being outdoors, enjoying all of God’s creations.

“She was especially fond of the snow, and often reminisced about the snow-blanketed days of her childhood years and college years in Vermont. 

“Helen enjoyed exploring the world, having made trips to Japan, England, Hungary, Austria, Norway, and the Czech Republic. These trips often provided inspiration for later works of art.

“She was a devout Christian and long-time member of First Church in Albany.”

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Helen S. Otterness is survived by her children, Richard Otterness, Paul (Monica Mahaffey-) Otterness, Randi Otterness, and Lisa (Michael) Coons; by her grandchildren, Anne Otterness, Mary (Daniel) Halloran, Matthew Coons, Ryan Coons, and Christopher Johnson; and by her great-grandchildren, Eva, Susannah, and Daniel Halloran.

 Her parents, Sue E. Travers and James W. Damarell, died before her, as did her longtime companion, Louis Ismay; her brother, John “Jack”; her sister, Dorothy; and her daughter-in-law, Carolyn.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Cannon Funeral Home at 2020 Central Ave. in Colonie with a memorial service immediately following.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204