Helen J. Pingitore

Helen J. Pingitore of Amsterdam NY, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2025 at the age of 89, in the company of a dear family friend, Belinda Toro Auspelmyer.

Born Helena Lombardi on January 11, 1936, she was one of seven children of Teresa (Sementilli - from Ripi in the Lazio region of Italy) and Annuziatto Lombardi. She was the last of her siblings to pass away, predeceased by her two brothers Samuel and John as well as her four sisters Louise Paradis, Margaret Langlier, Mary Jane Jordan, and Theresa Roberts.

Helen was married to Alfred A. Swinarski from 1957 until his passing in 1970. She was married to Richard C. Pingitore from 1980 until his death in 2009. A life-long resident of Amsterdam, she briefly lived in Newport News Virginia when Rich was assigned to the USS Carl Vinson, a naval aircraft carrier.

Helen is survived by her two daughters, Donna (and Phil) Miknavich of Rotterdam NY and Deb (and Scott) Hill of Horseheads, NY and her beloved granddaughter, Emily Belknap of Beaver Dams NY plus three great grandsons, Luke Phenes Jr, Lane Phenes, and Grayson Belknap.

Small in stature but with a fiery determination and a curious mind, she lived life on her own terms and dearly loved her family. She enjoyed the small pleasures of life … a good book, a tasty meal, a glass of wine, a cup of strong coffee with the company of one of her dear cats (first Buffy then Jasper, Charlie and JR, followed by Sammy, then Miley and finally Emmitt). She especially enjoyed watching her dear granddaughter, Emily, ice skating. She was so proud of Emily’s dedication to her chosen profession of nursing.

If you wish to commemorate her life, please make a donation in her name to the Montgomery County SPCA (https://www.mc-spca.com/support-us) at 1232 NY State HWY 5s in Amsterdam NY. Better yet, adopt a cat!

In early May, Helen’s family will hold a private wall-side service followed by a small family gathering to celebrate her life. She will join Rich at the Veterans Memorial wall at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. She will be dearly remembered and missed by all that knew her.