ALTAMONT — Helen Banas Reals, of Saratoga Springs — one of the first female police officers in Los Angeles, and the first female reader at St. Lucy’s Parish in Altamont — died on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020.  She was 92.

A long-time resident of Altamont and congregant of St. Lucy’s parish, Mrs. Reals raised five children who attended Altamont Elementary School.

“In many ways, she never was the typical 1950s-’60s housewife,” her family wrote in a tribute. “She was the first in her family to go to college; she was one of the first female police officers in Los Angeles, and the first female reader at St. Lucy’s Parish in Altamont.

“She was very involved with the parish leading Cursillo programs for years and occasionally working at the church restaurant at the fair.  She also worked the polls for a number of election seasons.

“Helen would never want to miss out on anything and loved visiting family around the country. She spent years on family genealogy, eventually reuniting with her ancestral family in Kyjov, Slovakia. Now she’ll continue on through those of us that loved and treasured her.”

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Helen Banas Reals is survived by her brother, Andrew Banac of Jamesville; two sons, Robert and Nathaniel, and three daughters, Gabrielle, Rebecca Love and Sara Bohn; 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Robert L. Reals Sr.  

A Mass and celebration of her life will be scheduled in 2021. For more information on the 2021 event, email her family at HelenBReals@gmail.com.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to slucys@nycap.rr.com. St. Lucy’s Church, 122 Grand St, Altamont, NY 12009.