Mom’s Obituary
Helene Sybil Whitman, 69, Fair Haven, passed away quietly at New York Presbyterian Cornell Hospital with her loving husband and children at her bedside. She attended Erasmus High School in Brooklyn and earned an Associate Degree from Brooklyn College with honors and a top honors award in the study of Insurance.
She was active in many organizations including a life member of Hadassah, the National Council of Jewish Women, The Sisterhood of Congregation B’nai Israel, and the Shore Area Walk for Israel and for many years served as chair of the Judaica Showcase Book Fair. She attended the opening of the Magen David Adom Blood Center in Ramat Gan, Israel as an invited guest. She was a member of Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen for 14 years and Congregation B’nai Israel for 31 years. She was proud of her kosher home and enjoyed Friday night candle lighting.
In addition to her never ending loving care of her five children, she lovingly cared for her 3 large Bernese Mountain dogs, Julie, Sheba and Samson and her cat Mittens. She loved her perennial gardens and attended them with affection. She also played golf at Hollywood Country Club for 18 years and collected items that made her home interesting and fun to be in.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Joel Whitman, three sons and two daughters: David Whitman of Freehold, Philip Whitman of Morganville, Kenneth Whitman of Smithtown, NY, Lisa Fallon of Fair Haven and Caryn Whitman of NYC; eight grandchildren, Jayne, Cory, Charlie, Amanda, Brock, Jake, Alex and Tyler.
A memorial service will be held May 8, 12pm at the Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Ocean Township. Donations may be made to the Helene Whitman Memorial Cancer Fund c/o Whitman 353 East 72ndStreet, New York, New York 10021, to support research for Multiple Myeloma, Lymphoma and Leukemia.
Shiva will commence after burial for one week concluding Tuesday evening, May 13 at the home of Joel Whitman.
