Helen Margaret Soto

She was born on May 11, 1933 in New York, New York to the late Otto and Helen (MacLaren) Kohout.

Growing up in New York City, Helen was an adventurer who traveled to Florida, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom in the 1950s as a young woman, smashing stereotypes of how young, unmarried women were expected to act. After marrying Manny Soto in 1968, she lived in Puerto Rico for a few years before moving to Orlando, Florida, where she raised a daughter and worked for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority for more than two decades. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and later visiting her daughter, Elena, in such cities as Chicago and New Orleans. In her later years, she moved to Austin, Texas, to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She loved to draw, paint, watch TV game shows and sing along to jazz standards.

She was preceded in death by husband Manuel Soto, Jr.

Helen is survived by daughter Elena Soto Jervis (Rick Jervis), brother William Kohout and granddaughters Emmanuelle Jervis and Isla Jervis.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home in Gotha, Florida.

Visitation will be from 5-7:30 pm Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Woodlawn Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5125 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, Florida, followed by a burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in her name in the link provided below.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared for the Soto family here in the online guest book.