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.

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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.