Helene G. Stavis

Helene Stavis passed away on December 5, 2020 due to complications of a stroke; she was 92. She was born Helene Dolores Grist on April 14, 1928 in Shenandoah PA. Her family was Roman Catholic, and her father was a mining engineer and her mother a housewife. On a trip to Maine to visit family after graduating from high school, she enrolled in a Registered Nursing (RN) program at Central Maine General Hospital in Lewiston ME.

After graduation, she worked as a RN in New York City. In 1950 she married Theodore Rosenthal, converted to Judaism, and moved to Waterville ME; together they had 3 children. After her marriage ended in divorce, Helene returned to nursing until she met and married Melvin P. Stavis and moved to Newton MA; they were married for 46 years, until Mel’s death. Although she left nursing, she was a “Pink Lady” volunteer at the Dana Farber Cancer Center in Boston for over 18 years and enjoyed traveling with her husband Mel, and following her interests in knitting, needlepoint, and crossword puzzles.

Helene Stavis is survived by her three children, Charles Rosenthal of Tiverton RI and his three children, Gregory, James and Stephanie, David Rosenthal of Cordova, AK, and Ellen Rosenthal and her husband William Cabrera of Woodbridge, VA; in addition, her stepson James Stavis and his wife Kate Stavis and their two children, Betsy and Matt, of Hamilton MA, and Robyn Stavis of Boxford MA, widow of stepson Norman Stavis, and their three children, Barrie, Rachel, and Joshua.

Temple Emanuel will be hosting a virtual service for Helene, Wednesday, December 9, at 1PM. Please use the link provided to attend. https://templeemanuel.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lduytqzwuGdEocspz0tUEOe-yP9fPVknF