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HELENA SEGARRA Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for HELENA SEGARRA
Haydee Segarra
June 13, 2012
What a beutiful poem! That's was Helena...she left us too soon but will remain in our lives forever!
Marjorie
June 12, 2012
Helena: Edward, Lily and I took a bit of a vote and decided to post this poem from your birthday, 2001. We look back frequently, fondly at the good days. They were all good days. We look ahead with the faith we share and everlasting love.
HMS, RN, BSA: a/k/a President of the House
With reddish hair and nails to match,
Helena rules the house.
Ask her where she would rather be.
She'll answer: the Crab House.
A Scout at heart, she leads the Crew
To camp and cook and hike.
How many flags does one Crew need?
As many as she likes.
You might say she's a cat person.
For dogs she does not care.
As for monkeys, donkeys, miniature deer.
Don't even go there.
She moved a giant household,
A block and a half away.
Now she's settling in on 106th Street,
Still unpacking every day.
Ask her anything about fundraising,
Designer popcorn or other stuff.
She'll answer in a minute.
For Helena, this is not tough.
At Christmas time she cooks and cooks,
Lasagna for one and all.
Is there anyone around
Who doesn't like Helena's meatballs?
One time she caught a Cockatiel,
Taking wing before a storm.
But she'd rather catch red snapper, lobster...
or some other fish form.
Don't call her Lee or Leanie,
As one old friend does.
She's just Mom to Ed and Lily,
And she covers them with love.
She has always excelled.
Even Wood Badge she has mastered.
Congrats on your too-close-to-Christmas birthday.
Best wishes now...and forever after.
Rebecca Segarra
June 11, 2012
Today is one year from Helena's passing. I know she did not want us to remember this date but I am only human and I miss you dearly my friend. I know you are at rest in the Lord's peace that passeth all understanding. I love and miss you and always will until we see each other again in glory. Love, Becky
Haydee Segarra
May 5, 2012
Dear Helena, next month will be a year since you left us. It is still hard to believe you are no longer with us. Looking at the Guest Book Photos...I know you enjoyed your short life to the fullest and I am happy for you. Rest in Peace and keep guiding Edward and Lily.
Helena, Marie, Marjorie: Quito, Ecuador
May 4, 2012
Marie, Marjorie, Helena, Margaret.
May 4, 2012
Helena and Edward: Good Scouts
May 4, 2012
Lily Marie
May 4, 2012
Lily: forever in fashion
May 4, 2012
Edward and the Mystery Guest
May 4, 2012
Edward and Helena: Happy First Easter
May 4, 2012
Edward and Marie: Parrot Jungle
May 4, 2012
Marjorie with Edward at his First Birthday Party
May 4, 2012
Edward and his Mom
May 4, 2012
Helena, Marjorie, Grandfather Sam, Grandmother Margaret
May 4, 2012
Marjorie and Helena
May 4, 2012
Helena and Marjorie: Happy New Year 1986
Marjorie Gross
May 4, 2012
March 28, 2012
Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter. Helena, I am thinking of you constantly and missing you so much it hurts. But knowing you are at peace and looking down with love on Edward and Lily, your greatest life production. They are magnificent, kind, loyal. You know. Your light shines on through them. They are taking care of all things house related - the warranty people, even the white tile. Belinda is busy with her beautiful Jada, who is officially a princess. Michelle has commandeered the really big first floor lab you always wanted. Your photos are on display. Around the lake at Baptist, there was a nighttime event with names in lights for those we honor and miss and love. Your name was there. In alpha order, my name was there, too, as a grateful cancer survivor. I am getting a picture. Two people from St. Louis church have been coming to see me at our house every week. To pray, talk, bring Holy Communion. Beverly and Philip - so kind. Armando and Becky are on hand, constant and positive. They still travel to our house with much good food. They are joining the caravan with Ed and Lily to see some wrestling thing. Your Vincent hasa decided to morph into a snow leopard. He has taken up residence on a solid white quilt in the family room. I have a picture of Vincent, too. Yes, I have entered the technology age with an android phone. Not doing well, but enthusiastically trying. I know you are with all the good ones up there, our mother and grandmother, maybe a Beatle or two. Happy Easter, my sister. I love you, Marjorie.
January 1, 2012
Brenda, I understand your pain and I feel the same. What a beautiful friend!Having her in our life was an honor. I miss her so much and I am sure that God is keeping her safe.
Michelle
January 1, 2012
Helena: I refuse to erase your number from my phone, sometimes I just want to share a comment or ask you for advise and I feel like you are still there my dearest friend you always understood me like nobody else and I miss you so much that it hurts God keep you safe and smiling in his beautiful world.
Brenda Graibe, Pembroke Pines FL
Helena's famous Christmas cookies! She passed this wonderful tradition down to her beautiful children Thank God! Your kindness lives on !
Jan Martinez
December 31, 2011
Rebecca Segarra
December 22, 2011
Jan, thank you for saying what we are all feeling at this time of the year. Just like you, my husband and I saw a wall hanging of the Beatles and decided we would have bought it for her this year. And although I know I will see you again Helena, for now we love and miss you so much.
Jan Martinez
December 21, 2011
Helena, I thought of you yesterday. I was out doing some Christmas Shopping and I saw a Beatles "revolution" picture. I just knew you would love it! It seems like everywhere I looked there was Beatles stuff. It felt like you were right there! Then I thought about the time we were in the Keys. A perfect day....You & I were just walking and sharing those intimate "secrets from the heart like girlfriends do, the kids were running around, everything seemed so safe! It just felt so nice to have a friend like you! I think I just need to say I miss you .
June 29, 2011
I had the perfect childhood from the day I was born until the age of five. Then, things became even more perfect when a new baby sister came into my life: Helena Marie. Until then, I lived with my mother, Marie, who started teaching me to read and write at the age of three; my grandfather, Sam, who took me swimming at Venetian Pool in Coral Gables every Sunday; and my grandmother, Margaret, who was the queen of Miami's Italian-American community in the 1950s. Since Marie and Sam went to work every day, Margaret and I had wonderful adventures. We would take the bus everywhere: to the opera at Dade County Auditorium, to the Rooney Plaza on Miami Beach, to Burdines and Jesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. We would walk into Coral Gables and shop at every store on Miracle Mile. My grandmother was a magnificent cook. To this day, we continue making her lasagna, antipasto and Christmas cookies for holidays. In those days, she would invite all the neighbor ladies over in the afternoon to play Canasta; she would serve her famous orange frosted pound cake. When my mother remarried, to Ed, an attorney, we all moved to a brand new house in Hialeah. I welcomed Helena with great joy; after all, she fit right in to all my doll furniture. I would stroll her around the house in my baby doll carriage and, when our mother was cooking dinner, I would guard over Helena while she slept just outside the kitchen in my chartruse green doll crib. When Helena was two, we moved back to a house next door to my grandmother. We had wonderful friends in every house on the block. I remember Helena had a giant, pink, stuffed dog named Jasper, a silver horse she could ride on the sidewalk, and many slinkys. All of our toys, along with a ping pong table, were in our garage (a popular place). We had wonderful Halloween and birthday parties and our mother would drive the neighborhood children to Matheson Hammock to swim. Every weekend, my stepfather would take us to ride ponies on SW 8th Street or to ride the carousel at Crandon Park. Helena and I were not allowed to cross the street by ourselves. Our mother would come out and walk us across the street, and when we wanted to come home, we would call her and she would walk us back. Even with the abundance of caution most families had about crossing a busy street, one of our friends, Laurie, was hit by a car. Laurie recovered, my stepfather handled her case, and all of us sat in the courtroom to watch him win a settlement for Laurie's family. When Helena was very young, we started going to Alabama Jack's and the Islander. At Alabama Jack's we would go out in small motorboats and pull in lobster traps with vast numbers of lobster. We would have a lobster feast there and bring the rest home on ice for a second feast with neighbors and our grandparents. It was at the Islander where Helena and I learned to fish. Then we would swim in the freshwater pool and the saltwater pool. Every night we would have dinner at the Green Turtle Inn. Helena always loved animals. We had a collection of white cats, all with tiny black spots on the top of their heads. All were named Fluffy or Muffy. We had a Beagle named Dinky and we had a solid white bunny named Sugar. One Easter, Sugar had baby bunnies and Helena nestled each one of them into little Easter baskets lined with pink and purple Easter grass. No one could make a holiday special like Helena. Even then. Helena and I attended St. Theresa's School in Coral Gables. Starting with her first report card in first grade, Helena made all A's. She was in the Brownies and I was in the Girl Scouts; our mother was the leader of my Girl Scout troup. Helena came with us on all camping trips. Sometimes we stayed at local campgrounds such as Camp Owassa Bauer. Always great fun. In 1962, we had a new group of friends at St. Theresa's School from Cuba. We listened intently to stories of their homeland; mostly sad stories. We could not imagine having to leave your own country. Helena went on to become an R.N. and started working at South Miami Hospital. Some years later, a happy fate brought us together on SW 108 Street. Everyone still mentions the unbelievable fun of the Easter parties there. Helena tackled the Easter Egg Hunt as a scientific endeavor. She started months ahead making sure there were prizes for each child. Then she organized the hunt into age groups, starting with the tiny babies (hint: the Mom and Dad did the actual hunt), then age 2-5, age 3-7, age 8-11, and the adult hunt. Each age group had color-coded plastic eggs with treats inside and then a grand prize. The best thing about that house for me was watching Edward and Lily grow up, learn to read, attend Kendall Christian School with all of its Christmas shows, hear about all the Boy Scout camping trips, and participate in the love and joy that Helena brought to our home. I never thought I would be a Tia, but I am proud to be a Tia and an aunt to two of the most wonderful young people in the world. I love Edward and Lily more than anything. I am watching over them and they are watching over me. Helena, I want to you know that the extended Segarra family has been wonderfully supportive. Of course, Jose, but also Haydee, Rosa, Nancy, Chris and Marta. Actually, all of them. I finally got some of the insurance and medical advice you had tried to get for me in March. Rosa has been so kind to guide me through some of the technicalities. Armando and Becky? There are no words for their ongoing love and support to your children and to me. Belinda is on hand, as usual, with love and help. Michelle, one of your new friends, is very dear. Elliot and Sandy Fassy have also been a great support. Just so you know, Edward and Lily have been working together, cooperating, keeping the household in good order as you had planned. Lily took Lucy to get her tags and Lily is helping with everything. Edward is orchestrating the paperwork and ongoing household details. Edward and Lily are your legacy. A superlative legacy. Helena, I know you are in a peaceful place looking down on your children and guiding them with your everlasting love for them. I am praying and keeping in mind a few lines from Psalm 91 to help me along: "Because you have the Lord for your refuge, you have made the most High your stronghold. No evil shall befall you. Nor shall affliction come near you. For to His angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways."
Helena, I love you now and forever...Marjorie
June 23, 2011
Helena: "To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die. May the Lord keep you happy forever in your new horizon."
Love and Blessings, Abbie Acosta
June 23, 2011
Peter & Siria Nigro
June 22, 2011
May GOD BLESS our dear friend Haydee and her wonderful family! Helena is looking down and smiling at you all!
Lily Segarra
June 20, 2011
I am truly one of the luckiest daughters in the world. My mom loved me and my brother more than anything. She taught me so much and always was here for me. I will miss her, but I am so happy that she is in a better place. I love you mom. You are my hero. If I can be half the women, friend, teacher, and mother that you are, I will consider my life complete.
Joyce Brislawn
June 18, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
BRENDA Graibe
June 18, 2011
Best friend ever,always willing to help. Her legacy will leave for ever. Brenda
Haydee J. Segarra
June 18, 2011
Helena: I know you are in a better place now free of pain and suffering. All the extended Segarra family will miss you and will always remember you. Edward and Lilly can always count on us. Helena, I once told you how much I enjoyed your wonderful Easter and the pool parties when all the kids were growing up. God bless you.
Our Amazing & loving leader Helena Segarra surrounded by though who love her!
Jan Martinez
June 17, 2011
Helena, You always opened up your heart and home and made us feel like family. I will never forget our fun & crazy "adventures" in Venturing! You entered into my life when I really needed a friend. I cherish our girl talks and walks, trips to the keys, dinners,campouts, sitting around campfires and nights sitting around your dining table planning events! ( and all those Puerto Rico stories although I didn't get to go) Never to forget your "special electrician" who would run down at wee hours of the night! (LOL) I know how important each child in venturing was to you and how you celebrated each advance they would achieve! You made each one feel so important! You gave everything from your heart! My life is richer because of you! You laughed from the heart and cried from the heart! Your stories will live on forever! I'll see you when I get to heaven and together we'll walk down the golden streets holding hands because I know that when I get there you will have a million stories to tell me and I can't wait to see your smiling face that brought so much into my life! You truly gave so much ! All of our Love Jan, Danny & David Martinez
Ed & Lily, Our hearts go out to you. Whenever you need us we will always be as close as a phone call!
Mercedes "Merci" Segarra
June 17, 2011
Helena was more than a step-mom... she was my mom, friend and role model. She taught me how to fish, cook,
live, love, and laugh. Though
she is no longer her I know
that her spirit will live on
through me, my children and
the many people she touched while she was her... I love you
Helena and I know that you
are always looking down on us from above:)
Michelle
June 17, 2011
Helena is my Hero and I will treasure her in my heart for ever.
Fernando Laracuente
June 17, 2011
May you rest in peace. Your legacy will live on with your students. I was blessed and proud to have met her. You are an inspiration to all of us. You will be missed by all of us.
Belinda Velilla
June 16, 2011
I was blessed to have Helena in my live. We were more than bestfriends. We had a special friendship/sisterly love for 35 years. We spoke everyday. She was incredibly special to me. We shared so many memories. I will miss her dearly.
Helena's School Picture
Hilda M. Vega
June 16, 2011
I met Helena 5 yrs ago when she started working at John A Ferguson Senior High School. We shared a classroom for 3 years at which time, I got to know her quite well and grew very fond of her. Edward and Lily were the light of her life. She was such a nurturing and concerned mother who was so focused on her children. Now I completely understand her need to nurture them and guide them as much as she did. She was also concerned about the well-being of her sister whom she felt so responsible for as well. She was a very good friend, a great teacher and an incredible lady with a humble and noble heart and soul. I will truly miss her but I know that God has her in a much better place where there is no more suffering and where only peace exists. I also believe that she will be a Guardian Angel for the people that she loved and cared about. May God rest her soul and may God give Edward, Lily and the rest of her family the strength, faith and acceptance of their tragic loss and the will to go on knowing that she is watching over them from above. Rest in Eternal Peace, My Friend.
Joe & Judy Sanchez
June 16, 2011
Helena was part of our family. She holds a special place in our hearts, and will always remain in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest condolences go out to Lily and Edward for their terrible loss. We will miss you. God Bless You
Sidney Arellana
June 16, 2011
Your time with us was way to short. You will always be an inspiration to your past and future students. Too your family: My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. God Bless.
Mindy Acosta Leon
June 16, 2011
I met Helena while she was a Health Science teacher at Ferguson Senior. She always looked out for her students and the Health Science program. Helena was loved by her students and colleagues, and will be missed dearly. My condolences to Helena's family. May God bless you always Helena.
June 15, 2011
With my condolences to Helena's family,I am Belinda, me and Helena worked together @ Blue Cross Blue Shield of Fl.We shared so much fun,love and good memories while we were in the BLUES.Helena you will be missed and may you rest in peace....Belinda R.Soliven.
June 15, 2011
I know you are in a better place, and the pain is gone,
But the void in my heart will not soon be filled;
I will remember your love, smile, and memories made.
All my love,
326
June 15, 2011
I first met Helena Odekirk in 1973 at Miami-Dade Junior College when she was just 19. She was incredibly full of life and joy and wanted to experience every new opportunity to its fullest. She made a lasting impression in my life and although I last saw her over 35 years ago I never forgot her and feel blessed for having known her. Manny Rodriguez (Miami, Fla)
Armando & Becky Segarra
June 15, 2011
We were blessed to have Helena in our lives and would not have changed anything about the time we all spent together. Holding your kids close with all our love. Armando & Becky
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