Margie Helm Van Meter

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Margie Helm Van Meter passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, surrounded by her family at her longtime residence in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Margie was born on September 7, 1932, the youngest of four children of John Blakey Helm and Catherine Burge Helm. Margie grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and attended the Louisville Collegiate School.  She graduated from Wellesley College in 1954.  Soon after graduation, Margie married her husband of 70 years, Robert Van Meter.  Margie and Bob were blessed with two children, Bob and Nancy.  

After her children left for college, Margie earned a master’s degree in public administration from the State University of New York at Albany and embarked on a new career.  She served for two decades as a senior staff member in the New York State Senate focused on childcare issues, including many years working for Mary Goodhue, who chaired the Senate childcare committee.  Margie took great satisfaction from her success working across the aisle to pass over a dozen bills improving child welfare and expanding childcare for New York families and children.

Upon retirement, Margie deepened her lifelong commitment to community activism.  She served on the Saratoga Springs Charter Commission and was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Concurrently, Margie was a board member for the Planned Parenthood for Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery counties. She was also active in the Westside neighborhood and for several years she led neighborhood tours for the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation.  Margie mentored young women who were first-generation college students at Empire State College.  Margie was a leader in the League of Women Voters for more than fifty years starting in 1961 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Margie was an active member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Saratoga Springs and served as an Elder of the church. 

Margie was always interested both in her community and the larger world around her. As an adult learner, she took a variety of courses and participated in numerous book clubs. She also enjoyed traveling.  Among other places that she visited with her children and grandchildren were Beijing, China, Paris, France, Havana, Cuba, Barcelona and Madrid, Spain. 

Margie is survived by her husband, her son Bob Van Meter and his wife Pam Nourse, her daughter Nancy Van Meter and her husband Jeff Eagan, grandchildren Becky Dowgun and her husband Neil, Patrick Eagan-Van Meter and his wife Rebecca Salzman, Abby Nourse Van Meter and her husband Ian Benton, Ben Eagan-Van Meter and his wife Fabiola Gutierrez, Margie’s brother Joe Helm and his wife Sissy, and her brother-in-law Woodford Van Meter and his wife Dorothy. In addition, Margie is survived by great-grandchildren Valerie, Jesse, and Silas, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Margie is predeceased by her parents John Blakey Helm and Catherine Helm, her sister Kitty Hartnett, and brother Jack Helm.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, www.lwvsaratoga.org

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (584-5373).

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.