ForeverMissed
Large image

UPDATE: A memorial flotilla celebrating Helen's life will be 1 PM, Sat., July 28, 2012, launching from the dock of the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club, Buckeye Lake Village, Ohio. In case of bad weather, the gathering will be postponed until 1 pm Sun., July 29, with plans for an indoor gathering if needed. For reservations, please contact Judith Waite Allee, 740-345-6711 or JudithAllee@yahoo.com.

-------------------------------------------------------

OBITUARY

Helen Hanson Waite passed away about 1 AM on Sunday morning, May 20, 2012. She was born Dec. 8, 1925, to Anna (Rifkin) and William Hanson in Brooklyn.

Until about a month before her death she was busy with her many circles of friends and organizations: the Sisterhood, Hebrew class/lunch buddies, and other activities at Temple Beth-El, her weekly beach-walk/lunch buddies, the Yacht Club and its water aerobics group, the Sail and Tack group, and much more.

Only 10 days or so before her death, my nephew Greg Waite (Jeff's middle son) came to Treasure Island with the idea she would be released from rehab shortly to recuperate at home. Instead she took a turn for the worse.

She did not make this walk alone. She was surrounded by family and friends. Jeff has been here almost a month, leaving his law practice in his associates' hands when Mom said she didn't think she'd make it this time. (Seemed like an overreaction at the time, but she was right.) Cindy and Pam have been here about a week. Jeff's other 2 sons, Scott and Kevin, arrived Friday with their mother, Betty. And I got here just a few hours before she took her last breath. Many friends visited, sent flowers or cards, and their prayers.

Blessedly, Helen was able to be independent almost to the end of her life, just as she wanted. After many, many procedures and tests and steady decline, she was very firm in her decision to decline exploratory surgery and transfer to Woodside Hospice in St. Petersburg, whose staff was incredibly caring and skilled.   

My family and I feel blessed and supported.  Please feel free to send the link to this site to anyone whom you think would like to know: http://helen-waite.forevermissed.com/

Memorial donations would be appreciated for the Temple Beth-El or its Hebrew school or the Newark Campus of Ohio State University for its programs for non-traditional students.  Helen returned to college in her 60s to become a Realtor, starting her own brokerage, Helen Waite Real Estate, with the much-remembered slogan: "If you want real estate, go to Helen Waite." The 3 songs she chose for her service are so-Helen: "My Way," "Hey, Look Me Over," and "It's Hard To Be Humble." Pretty much says it all. 

December 8, 2016
December 8, 2016
Thinking of you sweet lady. Happy Birthday.
December 8, 2013
December 8, 2013
Thinking of Mom on her birthday. Dad always teased her about being born the day after Pearl Harbor Day.
May 21, 2013
May 21, 2013
Sadly missed. What a courageous and fun-loving character!
December 8, 2012
December 8, 2012
Thinking about you today, on your birthday, Helen.
July 28, 2012
July 28, 2012
So many wonderful memories of Helen and Leonard over the past 40 years. We were all members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, good times at dinner club theater, get togethers, boating and so much more.
We stayed in touch after they moved to Fl but lost contact with Helen about a year ago.  We will miss Helen as we still miss Leonard. They were a wonderful couple.
July 24, 2012
July 24, 2012
Sadly, we lost access to Helen's e-mail & Facebook accounts before downloading her address book & all the touching messages & stories about Helen we received after her death. Now we have no way to notify her Ohio friends about the memorial flotilla, 6pm, Sat., July 28, from Buckeye Lake Yacht Club. Help us spread the word! Judith 740-345-6711
May 22, 2012
May 22, 2012
Helen "taught" us locks and dams, done a lot of boating with us, played a lot of "hand and foot" cards with us in Clearwater, Fla. Dick always said when he ran a corp. in Lancaster, "This is my credit manager so if you want credit, go to Helen Waite!" She very deftly applied this saying to her real estate business in Buckeye Lake.
May 22, 2012
May 22, 2012
To Jeff and all Helen's family, my sincere condolences on her passing. I knew Helen only briefly, but she made a big impression; she was truly an inspiration.
Sincerely,
Joe Caruso (National Development Council)
May 21, 2012
May 21, 2012
Memorial service will be Tues., May 22, 2012, at Temple Beth-El, 400 Pasadena Ave S, Saint Petersburg, FL 33707-2102. She reconnected with her Jewish heritage in later life. Map link is here: http://mapq.st/JxpDwL
May 21, 2012
May 21, 2012
A truer friend could not be had. I will miss her at bingo and bunco and the little chats we shared. Rest in peace dear friend.
May 21, 2012
May 21, 2012
I only met Helen early last Fall when she invited me to lunch to talk about our upcoming cruise. We had a delightful time and I enjoyed talking to her and learning about her life and seeing all her beautiful paintings in her condo. I would have never guessed her age as she seemed so much younger! I am so sorry to hear of her passing but it sounded like she had a wonderful life.

Leave a Tribute

Light a Candle
Lay a Flower
Leave a Note
 
Recent Tributes
December 8, 2016
December 8, 2016
Thinking of you sweet lady. Happy Birthday.
Recent stories

Invite others to Helen's website:

Invite by email

Post to your timeline