Helene Lyn Gold

Helene Lyn Levy Gold, a gifted pianist, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and an exemplary and deeply engaged member of her community, passed away peacefully after a long and vibrant life.

Born on August 16, 1928, Helene demonstrated extraordinary talent and discipline from an early age. A Juilliard-trained pianist, she began performing as a teenager at a variety of charities and events on Long Island, the Hotel Astor, and attended the Juilliard School of Music at 16. She quickly learned to play the flute and clarinet in her high school band. An exceptional student, she graduated with honors from Long Beach High School, where she excelled in English, French, and music, and then attended New York University.

Following World War II, Helene married Meyer Gold on June 20, 1948, and together they began building a life centered on the family leather business and building their own family. After the birth of their first son, Mark, at Doctors Hospital in New York, the family relocated to New Jersey, ultimately settling in Teaneck, where their sons Mark and Scott were raised and educated.

Helene remained deeply connected to music throughout her life, teaching piano to many students, playing for others well into her 95th year, and generously sharing her passion for the classics. She even taught and played piano with the Gold and Blumenthal's great-grandchildren.

She also dedicated significant time to community service, volunteering with the Teaneck Jewish Community Center and Rabbi Judah Washer, the Teaneck Performing Arts Council, Sisterhood, Hadassah Medical Organization, and ORT. She played Mahjong, bowled, and played bridge with her friends, but also enjoyed golfing with her husband and children, hosting dinner parties, and playing her Julliard playlist of Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Liszt, Debussy, and Mozart on the piano.

After their children graduated, Helene and Meyer moved to Fort Lee, New Jersey, and later to Aventura, Florida. During this time, Helene served as Executive Director of the Riverdale School for Young Children. She loved teaching and mentoring young children. She later co-owned and operated Hallandale Travel with her sister-in-law, traveling around the world and working in the travel industry for two decades.

Following Meyer’s passing from colon cancer, at 63 and after 39 years of marriage, Helene demonstrated resilience and independence, continuing her role as a matriarch, professional, and personal pursuits during the 38+years of living without her soul mate, Meyer.

In Jacksonville, Florida, Helene embraced a fulfilling life in San Marco, on Elder Lane, enjoying daily walks in the neighborhood with her dog, playing the piano, and working at Akra Travel. She saw 2 grandchildren graduate from the Bolles School and later from Yale, Columbia, Penn, UCF, Harvard, UF, and Wash U for College, Graduate, and Medical Schools. She would never miss a chance to attend a college or medical school graduation or to travel to a party for the great-grandchildren, grandchildren, or children. She loved going to football games, the Jaguars and Gators, with the family. She remained active and independent well into her later years, frequently visiting her children and grandchildren and making a point of never missing a birthday for any child, grandchild, great-grandchild, cousin, niece, or nephew.

Her commitment to her faith and community was unwavering; she was an active member of Congregation Ahavath Chesed in Jacksonville, where she volunteered and shared her musical talents, and she also played for residents at River Garden. Later in life, Helene moved to Orlando and then Ponte Vedra Beach, where she reconnected with Rabbi Matuson at Beth El – The Beaches Synagogue. She cherished walking along the Ponte Vedra beach, often reflecting on how it reminded her of the shores of Long Island.

She enjoyed driving her car up Ponte Vedra Blvd to visit her grandchildren, who lived on the Boulevard, and spent many COVID-era days with them- Mark and Janice, Steve and Katie, Kyle and Lauren, and her Gold great-grandchildren. Even well into her 90s, she loved cooking Sunday dinner for them in her PVB home. Remarkably intellectually engaged, active, and independent, she continued driving safely and remained active in PVB synagogue life and volunteer work, as well as in the news and politics, including time spent supporting Ponte Vedra residents in memory care.

Following a fall and fractured femur, Helene transitioned after major surgery to assisted living and later memory care at River Garden, where she continued to enjoy music and was surrounded by community and care.

Helene is survived by her loving family of two sons, 6 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Her oldest son, Mark Gold (Janice); her grandchildren, Steve Gold( Katherine Gold), Kimberly Gold Blumenthal (Daniel); and her great-grandchildren, Cameron, Nathaniel, Charlotte, and Whittaker Gold, and Jonah, Eli, and Ari Blumenthal, all of Jacksonville. Kyle ( Lauren) and new son, Jon Meyer Gold, in Stuart and Jessi Gold in Memphis. She is also survived by her son Scott Gold ( Jeanne), their daughters (Helene's grandchildren), Lt. Cmdr Megen Gold and Kery (David Meyer), and great-grandson, Warren . Lastly, she is survived by her sister Sondra Stoll of Livingston, NJ, and Seattle, Washington.

Helene’s life was marked by intellect, mentoring, artistry, resilience, and devotion to family and community. Her music, warmth, strength, and resilience will be remembered by all who knew her. She loved champagne and toasting to health and happiness.

She will be buried in N.J. next to her husband, Meyer.