Helen B. Wolter Imperial

Goshen, NY

Helen B. Wolter Imperial, (nee Briese), died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at Park Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Care. She was 100 years and 4 months.

The daughter of Paul and Johanna Briese, she was born April 7, 1908 in Berlin, Germany. She came to the U.S. in 1929 when she was 21 years old.

She lived in Manhattan, where she owned a Couturier dressmaking shop, located in the Empire State Building. She dressed many celebrities including Marlene Dietrich, whom she considered a friend.

During the war, she worked at the Bayonne Shipyard, where she sewed black out curtains for the United States Naval warships. After the war she worked for many other dress making businesses.

She married Francis M. Wolter, Sr. in 1950 and Bennie Imperial in 1972.

She leaves behind son, Francis M. Wolter, Jr. and his wife, Catherine; daughter, Delia K. Vuksanovich and her husband, Michael; four grandsons: Gregory Wolter (Shannon), Michael Vuksanovich (Lisa), Mark Vuksanovich (Andrea), and Nikolas (Maribeth), as well as nine great-grandchildren: Dillon, Kelsey, Paige, Robert, Olivia, Alexandra, Zachery, Jack, and Samantha.

A family statement reads: "Our gratitude to all the caring staff at Park Manor who helped Helen through her last year. She loved you one and all."

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements under the care of Donovan Funeral Home, Inc., 82 S. Church St., Goshen. To leave condolences, please visit donovanfunerals.com or call 845-294-6422.