Helen Goldberg Zerlin Sperling

With great sadness, we announce that Helen Goldberg Zerlin Sperling passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026, at the age of 97. Helen was born in New Orleans on December 11, 1928, to her mother, Sarah Slipman Goldberg of Warsaw, Poland and her father, Jules Goldberg of Odessa, Russia, who met on their voyage from Europe to America. Helen and her family first lived above the family tailor shop on Rampart Street in downtown New Orleans before moving uptown. Growing up with her sister Bessie and many cousins, the Yiddish-speaking voices of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles echoed through Helen’s colorful stories. Her memories of life on South Rampart St., considered the birthplace of jazz, supplied richly woven, entertaining street tales; it was clear to the listener that Helen was a witness to a very unique era in our country’s history.

Helen graduated from Sophie B. Wright High School and attended Newcomb College of Tulane University in New Orleans. As a young woman, Helen worked doing odd jobs in her family’s tailor shop. While she was devoted to helping her family, her true calling was teaching. Helen went on to become a popular substitute teacher, ultimately concluding her career at St. Rita Catholic School just blocks from her Nelson St. home, where she touched the lives of countless students with her patience, kindness, and dedication. She loved to discuss what she learned about Catholicism, and enjoyed helping her colleagues, including the nuns who worked at the school, learn more about Judaism and what it meant to her.

When Helen was 20, she met the love of her life, Maurice Zerlin. They fell deeply in love and married in 1951, Helen dreamed of becoming a mother and was blessed with three beautiful daughters: Janet, Kathy, and Nancy, as well as a long and peaceful marriage with her beloved husband Maurice.

A few years after Maurice passed away, Helen was set up on a blind date with Jac Sperling, owner of Orleans Lumber and father of Jac Sperling and Gay Sperling, he had lost his dear wife, Helene, a few years earlier. When Helen and Jac met, they gave each other a new, full, and happy life of second chances and were married for eight years before he passed.

Helen’s dedication to her Jewish identity, and to the New Orleans Jewish community, was a testament to her unwavering commitment. She was a member of Chevra Thilim Synagogue and, after meeting Jac, Temple Sinai. She had a lifelong love of music and musicals, which she shared with her children, and, later in life, enjoyed cozy afternoons watching Hallmark movies. She never missed reading the Times-Picayune. Above all, she cherished her family — her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — who were the greatest joys of her life. While her passing has left a void in our hearts, her memory will be forever cherished; her stories never forgotten. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. Helen was the beloved wife of Maurice Zerlin for 36 years, and of Jac Sperling for 8 years.

Helen is survived by her loving daughters, Janet Zerlin Fagan (Mark Fagan) of Boston, MA, Kathy Zerlin of Boston, MA, and Nancy Zerlin Krinsky (Larry Krinsky) of Slidell, Louisiana; as well as her grandchildren, Miriam Fagan of Mill Valley, CA, Abigail Fagan (Steven Moser) of Brooklyn, NY, Amanda Krinsky of Baton Rouge, Saralane Boasberg Jamison (Christopher Jamison) of Des Moines, Iowa, Jay Sperling of Santa Ana, CA, and Teale Sperling (Nic Novicki) of Los Angeles. She was the proud great-grandmother of Everleigh and Duane Jamison, and Marley and Rose Novicki. Helen was predeceased by her sister Bessie Goldberg Speyer of Tulsa (the late Larry Speyer).

Helen’s family extends their gratitude to the staff of Ville St. Marie, to the staff of the Passages Hospice Program, and especially to her devoted caregivers — Susan and Bambi as well as Allyson, Amanda, Antoinette, Karen, Maya, Melvina, Misti, Nicole, Sherrise, and Carlandra — whose compassion, dedication, and loving care meant so much to Helen and her family.

Helen’s stories, laughter, and love will be sorely missed.

Funeral services will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans, with Rabbi Daniel Sherman officiating. Visitation will be from 11 am until service time, interment following in Chevra Thilim Memorial Park, 5000 Iberville St at Helena St. A reception will follow in the Event Center at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home.

Kindly omit flowers. Donations are suggested to Temple Sinai, Shir Chadash, or Chabad Jewish Center of Suburban New Orleans - Metairie.

To view and sign the online guestbook, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.