Helen Adele Tatarsky

Helen Adele (Garmel) Tatarsky of Framingham, MA, passed away peacefully in the early hours of September 5, 2024. Helen was born in Brooklyn, NY to Michael and Sarah Garmel. She was an only child who was showered with love throughout her childhood, and brought that love to the family she raised with her beloved late husband Sherwin. Helen graduated from Brooklyn College and she and Sherwin were engaged on the evening of her graduation. She worked for a short time as a social worker before leaving to raise her family. She and Sherwin raised their two daughters, Laurie and Robin in Douglaston, Queens, where they made many lifelong friends. She eventually went back to work in the medical records department of North Shore University Hospital, another setting where the women she worked with became lifelong friends. She and Sherwin loved to travel and they had many adventures all over the world. She had a wonderful and sharp sense of humor and left everyone with funny memories of conversations had.

Helen was a passionate reader, especially of mysteries. She was an avid follower of politics, and told all of her doctors that they needed to make sure she lived to the next Election Day. Helen’s greatest joy in life was her two grandchildren, Sarah and Jake. Everyone she knew or met heard all about “my Sarah and my Jake,” and she took so much pride in being a part of their growing up and adulthood years. The icing on the cake was meeting her great granddaughter Charlotte Anne, who brought constant joy to her life. Helen’s last years were spent at Shillman House, an independent senior living community. True to form, Helen made many wonderful friends with whom she shared many laughs and good times.

Helen leaves behind her daughters Laurie Nee (Matthew) and Robin Leonard, her grandchildren Sarah Nee and her partner Brian Kenney, Jacob Nee, her great granddaughter Charlotte Anne Kenney, her nephew Doug Kay, the Garmel and Lipton families, and many adoring cousins and friends.