Maryland Willner

Maryland H. Willner, a retired teacher at Greenwood Lake School District and 46 year resident of Greenwood Lake, NY passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday April 11, 2012 after a long illness. She was 81 . Maryland was born April 26, 1930 in Smithtown, NY to Walter and Sara Tuley Helm, in a small house in the woods of Long Island that was heated by coal and lit by kerosene lanterns. Maryland was a longtime member of the Holy Rosary Church of Greenwood Lake and a longtime member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She was predeceased by her husband Clarence Willner in 1975 and her brother David Helm in 2009. Maryland taught in the Greenwood Lake School System for thirty years, sixteen of those teaching fourth grade. A devoted teacher, she loved all of her students and tried to install in all of them her own love of learning and continual quest for knowledge. A special feature of her fourth grade program was the teaching of Native American Cultures and beliefs, and a respect for all native Americans. Maryland was also well loved by her students for the many field trips she arranged. They ranged from museums in NYC to rock quarries. She ran many after school clubs including Drama; Geology; Nature; Stamp; Astronomy and Poetry. Maryland was also instrumental in the drive to build the Greenwood Lake Middle School and was a contributing author of the Orange County History Book used in the school curriculum for many years. Maryland is survived by her son: Carl Willner and his lovely wife Nina of Rockville, Maryland; her son Kurt Willner and daughter Lisa Willner, both at home and her daughter in affection, Leslie Smith of Chester, NY. She is also survived by her sister Janice Colvin of Cranston, Rhode Island; her sister-in-law Madelon Helm of Freehold, New Jersey; as well as many nieces; nephews and six grand cats. Visitation will be held on Sunday April 15, 2012 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Strong-Basile Funeral Home 4 Oak Street Greenwood Lake, NY. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Monday April 16, 2012 at Holy Rosary Church in Greenwood Lake, NY. Burial will follow at Greenwood Lake Cemetery. Arrangements by Strong-Basile Funeral Home Greenwood Lake, NY 477-8240 www.ocfuneralhomes.com