Helen A Beckoff

9/7/1919-3/28/2016

Helen A. Beckoff died peacefully in her sleep at her home surrounded by her family on March 28. Helen was born in Brooklyn, New York, the youngest of four sisters, to Russian immigrant parents Myer and Rose Arnowitz. In Brooklyn, she met the love of her life, Judd L. Beckoff, a young lawyer in New York. They married in 1941 and moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1952, where Judd wanted to pursue business opportunities. Not wanting to deprive her four children of the cultural and family ties in New York, Helen and the children spent summers in New York, staying with family in Manhattan and Long Island. She insured that her children would be exposed to the best that New York City could offer, the arts, museums, theatre and culture. And staying close to her New York family was especially important to her. In Fort Worth, she had an active social life and was very involved in the Jewish community as a lifetime member of Hadassah and Sisterhood. Helen was a fabulous cook and baker and always presented the most delicious holiday meals. Helen and Judd enjoyed weekends at Eagle Mountain Lake, where they developed a love for boating, sailing and water skiing. Following Judd’s retirement as a partner with A.G. Edwards, they moved to St Petersburg, Florida to pursue a lifestyle of sailing the Florida Keys and travelling the world. In Florida, she developed a talent for painting watercolors and produced many beautiful pieces. Helen loved cinema, theatre and the visual arts and was an avid reader who loved discussing her latest books.

After Judd’s passing in 1988, Helen moved to El Paso to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She commuted regularly to Los Angeles to spend time with her daughters, Judy and Barbara and her grandchildren. She treasured her grandchildren, Eric, Jill, Jordan, Jessica and Elisabeth.

Helen was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. She “never met a stranger”, as she liked to say, “just a friend she hadn’t met yet.” Kind, sincere and loyal, she was always the first to help a person in need. Helen exemplified the best attributes of family, motherhood, and charity. Helen was a member of Congregation B’nai Zion.

Helen was predeceased by her loving sisters, Fay Bernstein, Thelma Wexler and Sylvia Fromberg. Surviving children are Ivan Beckoff, Robert Beckoff (Leslie), Judy Nussenblatt (Alan) and Barbara Leigh (Andrew).

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at B’nai Zion Cemetery at 11:00 am.

If you would like to make a contribution in Helen’s memory, in lieu of flowers, please make charitable donations to Congregation B’nai Zion, 805 Cherry Hill, El Paso, TX 79912 or a charity of your choice. Finally, thanks to her wonderful caretakers, Connie, Angelica, Rosa, Priscilla and Nancy, who gave Helen their love, care and friendship. Special thanks to Dr. Jim Ehrlich for his advice, attention and concern.