Helga A. Vaishvila

Nee Bechtel

Born in Frankfurt, Germany on May 16, 1929 and died on January 26, 2015. She suffered a stroke on her return from a vacation in Florida and passed away in Tampa with her loving companion Robert Ullery by her side. Helga was united in marriage to George Vaishvila on May 16, 1954. He preceded her in death on January 11, 1994, after close to 40 years of marriage. They were residents of Washington, DC from 1954 - 1964 and of Arlington, Virginia since 1968. Helga remained in her beloved home in Arlington until her death. She is survived by her three daughters: Christine Anna Vaishvila Kluka of Fairbanks, Alaska; Susanne Vaishvila Rosenfeldt of Boca Raton, Florida; Irene Vaishvila Glaeser of Arlington, Virginia. Beloved grandmother to Stephanie, Andrew, Paul, Lydia, Peter, Anna, Madeline and George, and proud great-grandmother of Eric, Luke, Vivian and Thomas. Helga met George, a Lithuanian-born US Army Officer, at the post exchange on the US Army base in Frankfurt after WWII. Helga loved dancing, dinner parties, friends, and family outings. Her cooking was renowned and she used her finest china to entertain her many friends and family members. Lasting family memories include four years in Paris and summer vacations to Cape Hatteras, NC, and to lovely state parks in West Virginia. Helga was an avid gardener whose garden brought her and others great joy. She also loved music and attended many concerts later in life with Robert, her loving companion of 12 years. Our mother, Omi and friend lived her life to the very fullest. Her memory will be cherished by all who were lucky enough to know her.

Helga’s Celebration of Life service will be held at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA 22203, on April 16 at 3:00pm followed by a visitation. Helga will buried at Arlington National Cemetery on April 17th at 11:00 am, followed by food and fellowship at the Ft. Myer Officer’s Club at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Williamsburg Consort, where a music scholarship is in her name. Instructions are at www.wmbgconsort.org.