Helen "Zip" (Parry) Heath

Holley: Helen "Zip" (Parry) Heath, age 99, passed away February 24, 2026, at Friendly Home Senior Living in Rochester. She was born March 31, 1926, in Wayland, NY to the late Silas and Florence (Lockhart) Parry. Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Robert E. Heath, and her brother Donald Parry of Rochester.

She is survived by her dear children, Judith (Raymond) Dempsey, Jill (Richard) Reichert, Douglas (Brenda) Heath, Susan (Michael) Reighard. She took great pride in her cherished grandchildren, Peter (Kayla) and Ellen Dempsey; Katie (Jacob) Harer, Molly (Nick) Ashur, Sarah (Ethan) Windham, Chrissie (Ben) Clapp; Mark and Andrew (Maggie) Heath; Tommy (Julie) and Scott (Kassi) Reighard, 12 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Her brother, William Parry, also survives.

Raised in Elmira NY, Helen was a 1948 graduate of the University of Rochester. She went on to achieve a Masters degree in Medical Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, where she worked at Barnes Hospital before continuing her career at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. In 1954 she married her husband, Bob. They raised their family in Holley NY where she was active in the community and member of First Presbyterian Church.

An avid reader, Zip was a longtime volunteer at the Holley Community Free Library and served the Brockport Hospital through the Hawthorn Twig. Consistent with her college nickname, Zippy, she actively enjoyed swimming, skiing, tennis and biking and passed on that enthusiasm to her family.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Holley or the Holley Community Free Library.

Her family will gather on a future date to honor her and celebrate her life. Helen’s arrangements have been entrusted to the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home 16650 State Route 31 Holley, NY with interment at Hillside Cemetery.

To share a special memory of Zip, visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com.