Mrs. Helena Lerner Horwitz of Houston,Texas passed away on February 25, 2019 at the age of 71 years old. She was predeceased by her husband Dr. Barry L. Horwitz, M.D., her mother Mrs. Rosalie Fayner Lerner, her father Mr. Jake Lerner, her Aunt Ruth Bittensky her Uncle Walter Bittensky and her cousin Zella Bittensky, her cousins Stuart Fayner and Cheryl Fayner, her Uncle Joe Fayner, and Cousins Frances and Irving Turner. She is also predeceased by mother in law Mrs. Freda Topek Horwitz, Father in law Mr. Jake Horwitz, sister in law Mrs. Ruthy Peskind and brother in law Dr. Norman Guzick, M.D. She was also predeceased by her beloved Irish setters Rusty and Lucky, and standard poodle, Fudge, parakeet, Groucho and cockatoo, Popcorn.
Daughter of Rosalie and Jake Lerner, she was born in Houston, Texas where her parents were running the “modern notion company” in downtown Houston. Her parents had a showroom and a wharehouse with Sporting goods, jewelry, and items for the home etc. They worked very hard and raised their only daughter, Helena, in a loving home where all the cousins and uncles and aunts gathered regularly on weekends for family dinners. Her cousins were like siblings to each other. They all remain very close to this day as well as their children.
She is survived by her daughter Stephanie T. Horwitz, and toy poodle “Sherlock Holmes”, daughter Heather Horwitz Nelson, and her husband Sean Aaron Nelson and their son, her grandson, Jaxon Blake “J.B.” Nelson, and grand puppies Rico and Princess Nelson. She is also survived by cousins Sheila and Stanley Horn, David Turner, Joel Bittensky, Sheldon and Connie Fayner, and her Aunt Anne Fayner (103 years old). She is also survived by brother-in-law Dr. Melton “Buddy” Horwitz, M.D. and sister-in-law Mrs. Lorraine Horwitz, brother-in-law Mr. Maurice Horwitz, sister in law Mrs. Arlene “Happy” Guzick, and brother-in-law Mr.Stanley Peskind. In addition Mrs. Horwitz is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Helena graduated from Bellaire High School in Houston, Texas and the University of Houston with a degree in education. Married to Barry L. Horwitz on May 28, 1967 at the Shamrock Hilton Hotel - Helena and Barry shared 51 years of marriage together and were deeply in love. Barry called Helena his sweetheart until his dying day. Helena stood by and supported Barry through all his medical training, professional career as an esteemed and highly respected board-certified ophthalmologist in Houston, Texas where he practiced for over 35 years. She taught second grade in Clear Lake where many of her students were the children of the astronauts and engineers at NASA. She would often share with her daughters, Heather and Stephanie, her memories of her teaching days and the unique experiences she had as a teacher. She had a passion for teaching but most of all for being a mother to Heather and Stephanie and most recently a grandmother to her grandson Jaxon Blake “J.B.” Nelson. Helena loved entertaining- her house was known as the place everyone wanted to be.
Helena’s love for her pets and animals was profound. Helena loved traveling with Barry and her daughters- Just some of her favorite places to go with them was the Cayman Islands where they went regularly, New York City for shopping with her girls and Broadway shows, Disney World and Galveston. She also loved the arts/ frequently attending musicals, symphonies, and plays with Barry and her girls. Helena enjoyed fishing with Barry very much.
In Lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Mrs. Helena Lerner Horwitz to The Vanderpump Dog Foundation. Vanderpumpdogs.org
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