Helen Kirwan

Helen Gottenberg Zoller Kirwan, lived her life vibrantly, unapologetically and honestly, died on February 11th. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, spent many years in New York City, and St. Thomas, before retiring to Bonita Springs , Florida. She cultivated, cherished and was truly loyal to her numerous friends along the way.

Free-spirited and independent, Helen left home at eighteen for Greenwich Village. It was there she met her first husband, Attila Zoller, who became Billboard's Top Jazz Guitarist in Europe. She traveled to jazz clubs in Germany, where he was a star. In the U.S., Attila joined Chico Hamilton's and Herbie Mann's groups where Helen accompanied Attila on tour.

A card player from her youth she developed a passion for bridge. She became a Bridge Director of a small club in St. Thomas, winning and earning minimal points. She taught bridge on cruise ships and got to see the world with her late husband, Richie Kirwan. Once she reached Florida, she became a Sapphire Life Master. Until the day she died, she drove to the bridge club six or seven days a week. It kept her social, engaged and using her intellect. She also appeared on Jeopardy when Art Fleming was the host!

Helen relocated to St Thomas with her young daughter and new husband from NYC. She joined her friend Sue Rubin in opening a unisex boutique, The Cuckoo's Nest, which, for a time, had a temporary branch on St. Croix. She also opened The Island Eye, a notions store, The Pizza Joint, and the Gallery on the Square in St. Thomas.

Helen loved going to the theater and even acted in a local theater production. She loved seeing movies when they first came out so that she could form her own opinions. She always was in the middle of a book. She loved hosting dinner parties, inventing new dishes, drinking vodka, playing Spite and Malice and have heated discussions on a wide range of topics. She was extremely generous and loyal to her friends.

She is survived by her daughter Alicia Carusona and her husband Richard, her stepdaughter Syd Kirwan and her partner Chip Musson, her sister Ricki Brodie and her husband Michael, six step-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren, her very close cousin Joel Moss and his wife Susan and a host of friends.

At Helen's and the family's request there will be no funeral or celebration of life. If you would like to make a donation in her memory, please consider The Vermont Jazz Center founded by Attila Zoller in 1974. (vtjazz.org). Let the memories of her bring a smile to your life.