Enid M. Helfand

Enid was born in 1942 and grew up on Chicago's north side, the only child of Harry and Betty Wiczer. Her extended family included more aunts, uncles and cousins than could be easily counted. Favorite "almost sisters" included Beverly (Wiczer) Kesselman and Elaine Wiczer.

Enid attended Stone Elementary School and Senn High School in Chicago. She was a proud member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority at the University of Iowa and earned her bachelor's degree in speech therapy there.

She raised three kids in Northbrook, Illinois: Andrea Gerber (Bruce Perham) now of Seattle, Washington; Ken Gerber now of Montreal, Canada; and Brian Hirt (Susan) now of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Enid married Bob Helfand in 1983 and added two stepsons to her family: Craig Helfand now of Woodstock, Illinois, and Mark Helfand (Dana Coppa) now of Thousand Oaks, California. Enid and Bob moved to Las Vegas in 1994, where Enid picked up golf and other hobbies in their shared retirement.

She welcomed two granddaughters in the early 2000s: Hazel Gerber of Montreal and Brooke Gerber-Perham of Seattle.

Enid was crazy about her kids, kids-in-law and grandkids. She was proud to a fault of everyone's accomplishments and concerned to an extreme about their wellbeing. Every phone call included an inquiry about the family dogs and the admonition: "Don't work too hard."

Enid had a sharp and curious mind. Pre-Internet, the almanac was frequently summoned to settle her questions about facts and trivia. She was a clear and careful communicator, which she put to use in her career as an office manager for a consulting firm in the Chicago suburbs and as a longtime volunteer for her community association in Las Vegas.

It was effortless to like Enid. She had a disposition that raised a smile and a wit that drew many laughs. Friends she said goodbye to too early included Deedee (Mazor) Port and Arleen Poltermann.

Cancer quickly ended Enid's life. She is loved and missed by those lucky enough to have been a part of it.

Enid will be buried near her mom and dad at Westlawn Cemetery in Norridge, Illinois, following a ceremony among family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Enid's memory to HIAS (hias.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.weinsteinfuneralhomes.com for the Helfand family.