Helen Ehrsam Swank

Helen Ehrsam Swank, July 17, 1929 to September 6, 2025, born to Ernest and Bertha (Fischer) Ehrsam.

Helen loved to travel and lived in Japan and Germany. While living in Tokyo, she developed a fondness for Asian culture and her home was filled with Japanese art and memorabilia.

Helen was employed by Cornell University for 33 years as the Administrative Manager of the Southeast Asia Program. Because she owned 5 trailers, Helen often rented them to Cornell students or faculty from abroad.

Helen was a very devoted public servant who was an active member of the Pan-Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association of the USA, the International Women’s Friendship Group, NYS Women, Inc., Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Women’s Community Building, and Ithaca’s St. Luke Lutheran Church.

Helen never hesitated to ask for money for her beloved Grace LeGendre Endowment Fund (GLEF), something she founded with her friend Jeannie Barnaba, offering scholarships to women for their education. With a keen interest in the stock market, Helen was also a founding member of The Dozen Divas investment club. As a member of Ithaca’s Liberty Hyde Bailey Garden Club, Helen never met a flower she didn’t like or couldn’t grow. Helen’s service expanded as an active member of the Ithaca Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW), including its International chapter.

Throughout her service, Helen’s peers observed that she rarely volunteered to do a task herself but instead succeeded in enlisting someone she thought was perfect for the job. Helen always had something to say or had an interesting question to get a conversation started. She loved to laugh, dine with friends and tell hilarious, entertaining stories. And, she lived a long, unique, amazing, well-traveled and adventurous life.

Helen was pre-deceased by both her husbands, Robert Loester and Robert (Bob) Swank, her sister Erna O’Connor, and her stepsons David and Clint Swank. She is survived by her brother Walter Ehrsam and his wife Connie, nephews Howard Ehrsam & Charles O’Connor, niece Kellie Scharpf, and grandson Gabriel Swank.

In her final moments, Helen was in the comfort and care of Hospice services while still living in Bridges. Helen always wanted to live to be 94 like her grandmother and she can be proud that she made it to 96.

In a document for “Putting Things in Order,” Helen shared these parting words, “The world was my oyster.” Cheers to Helen, a one-of-a-kind gem who made a distinct imprint on our world.

To celebrate Helen, please visit these links to tribute videos produced by Sounderful Productions with content contributed by Gabriel, Carol and Howard.

Helen Swank Tribute Highlights video: https://youtu.be/bF7Fb8B-h_Q

Helen Swank Full Tribute video: https://youtu.be/b0L9oAB6yKw

She would most appreciate donations in her memory to: GLEF. https://www.gracelegendre.org/