College mourns passing of English Professor Emerita Helen Kochant

It is with sadness that the College shares the news of the passing of Helen Kochant, 87, on Aug. 25. Kochant was a valued member of the English Department at SUNY New Paltz for more than three decades, from 1963-1996.

Born on Dec. 31, 1929 in Manhattan, Kochant held degrees from Fordham University. She arrived on campus as a specialist in children’s literature, quickly earned a reputation as an outstanding reading teacher, and helped establish the Reading Clinic.

Kochant remained a strong supporter of the College’s educational mission following her retirement. She was a longtime donor to the SUNY New Paltz Foundation and a member of the College’s Tower Society. She also established the William and Helen Kochant Memorial Writing Scholarship in her husband’s memory.

Family members will receive friends on Friday, Sept. 1, from 9 – 10 a.m. at Copeland Funeral Home, 162 S. Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 34 South Chestnut St., New Paltz, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William and Helen Kochant Memorial Writing Scholarship at SUNY New Paltz (1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, N.Y. 12561).

Those who would like to send condolences and memories to the Kochant family may do so using this website: http://www.copelandfhnp.com/obituaries/Helen-Kochant/.