Tea with Alpha Sister,

Helene Tucker Light ’27

   In March of 1998, Meredith Kaye, Diana Franzini, and I had the pleasure of meeting with Alpha Chapter Sister, Helene Tucker Light ’27 during an afternoon tea at her home.  Helene reminisced about her life, and her days as a student and Sister at Brockport Normal School.  And with great pleasure and pride, she shared her Arethusa memorabilia with us.

   Helene lived on a dairy farm in Spencerport and rode the trolley to Brockport to attend social functions and classes.  At graduation, she was one of the top five students asked to relocate to Long Island as an elementary teacher.  Helene moved to East Rockaway and taught at the Rhame Avenue School. 

   In time, she met her husband and lived in Baldwin.  While raising her two sons she was a substitute teacher in the Baldwin Pubic Schools.  Helene is very proud of her sons’ accomplishments and those of her two granddaughters. 

   Helene then taught regularly in Baldwin and worked with Kathleen Owens, the principal.  Both women were alumnae of Arethusa and Brockport Normal School and have been longtime friends for many years. 

Theresa Gonzalez, Helene Tucker Light, Diana Franzini, and Meredith Kaye

   Helene was an all around student at Brockport as the editor of The Stylus yearbook, president of the Glee Club and as president of the sorority.

   Her memories of Arethusa include a weekend on Lake Ontario and sleeping in the Arethusa Society Room. During her term as president the women purchased white sweaters embroidered with a green “A” which was a big thrill to all.

   After caroling one night, the sisters sneaked into the Arethusa Society Room and spent the night.  Another weekend involved the Sisters renting a cottage on Lake Ontario and enjoying the many outdoor activities.

   It was a delight to hear about Helene’s life and her memories as an Alpha sister.  She is a remarkable, well accomplished woman, and it was obvious that Arethusa is just as important to her today as it was when she was an active sister.

   We were all especially thrilled when Helene showed us her Sister Pin.  The pristine pin resembled our pins exactly except for the alpha chapter guard.  It was then that we all came to the same realization.  The alpha chapter guard designated the first chapter of Arethusa.  Helene and her pin represented a great achievement in our goal to discover Arethusa. 

   We enjoyed our visit with Helene tremendously. With a tear in our eyes we performed the “Arethusa handshake” and said good-bye.  

- written by Theresa Gonzalez; The Fountain Newsletter; Fall 1998