Helen L. Lister, 81, of 1167 Gill St., died Sunday at Samaritan Medical Center, where she had been a patient for a month.

Mrs. Lister started working in 1946 for New York Telephone Co. as a telephone operator, retiring after 37 years as an advance assignment clerk.

Born July 2, 1926, in Watertown, daughter of Elmer and Ann Tiernan Forbes, she was educated in Watertown schools.

She married Albert E. Lister on Aug. 31, 1946, at Trinity Episcopal Church. Mr. Lister is a retired city of Watertown Fire Department battalion chief.

Mrs. Lister was a member of Holy Family Church and Telephone Pioneers. She enjoyed summers at the family cottage on Point Peninsula and embroidering and crocheting.

Surviving besides her husband are a son and his wife, Michael L. and Christine, Romulus; two daughters and their husbands, Patricia A. "Tina" and Bruce Lynch and Sue and Gary Oatridge, all of Watertown; a brother, Richard Forbes, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a nephew and several cousins.

An infant brother and sister died before her.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Reed & Benoit Funeral Home with the Rev. Shane Lynch, grandson of Mrs. Lister and pastor of St. Ann's Catholic Church, Wells, and St. James Major, Lake Pleasant, officiating.

Burial will be in North Watertown Cemetery.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County.