I heard stories of childrens' memories of Mother teaching them at home, making sure they had a Jewish education, how kind and loving she was. She married a non-practicing Jew, and brought him back into the shul. She followed her husband cross country and back when he was in the Army, and kept her family secure. Her husband was her love, and wherever he was, she was there supporting him, loving him, and taking care of his children and making a home wherever they were.
Helen had a quiet sense of humor, and sometimes people didn't catch it. But that was OK with her.
She had a deep sense of her Jewish heritage. She kept the customs that her mother and grandmother taught her, and passed them on to her children. She was so concerned that Jewish children receive a proper education that she established a fund to help children whose family couldn't afford to send them to Jewish summer camp. She took it as her personal responsibility to see to it that no child was left behind for lack of funds. My granddaughter was the beneficiary of her benevolence for two summers.
What can I say more about this beautiful woman? Not only was she beautiful physically, but she beautiful spiritually. We had many long talks about Judaism and about women in Judaism. Whenever I learned something new I always took it to her to talk about. She was faithful to her G-d and to the customs of her Faith. A truly good woman. Jewish or not, or of no faith at all, women would do well to emulate this woman.
I am a fortunate woman to have known Chaya Riva bat Alta Ita Miriam. May she rest in peace.
Goodbye, dear friend, I shall always treasure your friendship and remember your counsel.