Helen W. Abramowitz

Helen Walters Abramowitz of Taos New Mexico died peacefully at home on April 25, 2011 surrounded in spirit and person by her loving family and friends. She was born in New York City on August 17, 1912 of immigrant parents from Poland and Austria. Helen grew up in New Jersey and survived childhood polio. In her early 20s against the wishes of her family she went to California by herself for her career, behavior typically not acceptable of young ladies of the time. This ability to think and act outside of the box was a key part of Helens uniqueness .Even when she was much older she was never set in her ways and relished the ability to learn new things. She had an insatiable curiosity coupled with a keen intelligence. She had a natural flare for fashion and became a buyer of womens clothes. She remained fashionable into her last decade. She was an extroverted people person, talked easily to strangers and had many multi-generational friends all the way into her advanced years. She was able to give of herself and loved to entertain her friends and family in her home. She loved being the center of attention. She volunteered at the hospital and was a docent at a local Taos museum. She belonged to reading and writing groups. She was the oldest person she knew but to her age was just a number. She loved her family unconditionally. They were the most important thing in her life. She was devoted to her children Elizabeth Jenkins and Joel Abramowitz and his wife Rita Bergers, her grandchildren Elita and Elan Jenkins, Carl and Michael Abramowitz and Delaney Bergers; her great-grandson Sebastian Abramowitz, and her niece Susan Sharp and husband Ron Sharp and nephew Alan Silverstein and wife Paulie . Helen was predeceased by her grandson Jesse Abramowitz, her daughter-in-law Joan Abramowitz and her former husband Abraham Abramowitz and her sister Myrtle Silverstein. Helen was loved by many friends who supported her and stayed with her until the end. When she could no longer go to her friends they would come to her. When she no longer could participate in her writing group they met in her house. Her devoted friends include: Nancy Glasgow, Martha Grossman, Marianne Hillard, Kathy Kasza, Helen Nanos , Celia Torres, and Maureen Weber. Helens family is grateful to Elva Tafoya who lovingly stayed with and cared for Helen until her death. To the end Helen remained a source of pride and amazement to her family and friends.