Helene Emily Jankowitz

Helene has been married to Bruce Jankowitz for 48 wonderful and blissful years. Her life focused on family and friends. Helene has two terrific sons who are both married – Ryan Jankowitz and Megan Marsick; Cory and Jamie Jankowitz. Helene also has two married brothers – Michael and Julia Rubinstein; Rich and Diane Rubinstein. She was close to her brother-in-law Mark. There are three beautiful little grandchildren – Taylor Rose, Jordyn Isabel, and John Daniel. Helene adored her sisters-in law – Merrill, Helena, Diane and Julia - whom she considered the sisters she never had. She was always there for her two brothers while growing up and maintained a unique and special bond with each one. She was interested in the lives of all our nephews and nieces.

Helene was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up on Long Island. She moved down to the DC area after completing college at Farleigh Dickinson University. She resided in Northern Virginia for 43 years before she and her husband decided to downsize and move across the Potomac to the Woodlands 55+ active community in Frederick, MD where her energy and passion led to constant social and civic engagement. She was the co-chair of the Condo II Interior Design Committee until her illness.

Helene and her family were members for many years of the reform congregation Temple B’nai Shalom in Fairfax, VA. She had become an active member of the Chavurah community in the Woodlands participating in and helping to plan many social events.

Helene devoted her professional life to working with little ones as a first-grade teacher in Prince William County, VA, Olam Tikvah preschool in Fairfax and 15 years at Cherry Run Elementary special education preschool in the Fairfax County school system. She was always inspired by the little accomplishments made by children on a day-to-day basis. Helene healed the world child by child and person by person. Her presence and inner beauty touched all she encountered.

Helene had so many circles of friends. Helene truly cherished the close and decades long friendships she had with people so important in her life such as Debbie and David Jacobs, Carol and Abe Schneier, Marilyn and Rob Weissman, Sandra and Keith Robbins and Sue and Rich Burger. They truly are like family. There are numerous other friends in her social circle such as long-time neighbors from Burke, VA where she lived for many years, childhood friends from Garden City, NY and many new and special friends from the Woodlands Community in Frederick, MD.

Her strong and kind spirit touched so many through the years. Helene spent many months in the final year receiving treatment at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. The medical staff (doctors, nurses, technicians and others) were kind, caring and gracious. In lieu of flowers, she would like contributions made to Johns Hopkins Medicine. In addition, Helene adored Sophie and Madigan’s Playground in Frederick, MD which is named after two young sisters who tragically died in a fire. This playground strives to meet the needs of all children with a variety of developmental issues and complications. Please go to their website for sponsorship options.

After the chapel service at Hines Rinaldi Funeral Home, there will be a procession to and graveside service for family and close friends at National Memorial Park King David Memorial Gardens which is located at 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA.

Helene was a unique, kind, gracious and caring individual. Her presence will be sorely missed by her family and so many others who were fortunate to have known her.