Helen Fields

FIELDS, Helen Helen Fields, 88, of Rocky Hill, formerly of Middletown, wife of the late Bernard "Bernie" Fields, passed away on Saturday, (January 21, 2006). She is predeceased by her parents Esther and Abraham Solotoroff, her sister Florence Saunders and brother-in-law Kurt Saunders. A Bronx, NY native, Helen moved to Middletown along with her beloved husband Bernie, where they established their store, Bernie Fields Jewelers, a Main Street icon in Middletown for nearly a century. Bernie Fields Jewelers, even after Bernie's passing, was Helen's passion. Until she was 87, she worked alongside her son and grandson every day, happy to meet and greet the familiar faces, many of whom became cherished friends. She took great pride in knowing that Bernie Fields continues to be a family-run business in Westbrook, with her son's family perpetuating a long-established family tradition. Helen always referred to herself as a "city girl" who moved to the country. She recounted that in the 1950's when she first set eyes upon Middletown, she was amazed to find no big department stores and New York-style restaurants. She missed the excitement of New York, but the rest is history. Working alongside her husband Bernie, she grew to love Middletown and its suburban lifestyle. She participated in many civic activities and shared her husband's passion for Big Brother Big Sisters, an organization whose first Connecticut chapter was started by Bernie in Middletown. Helen's chronological age belied her years. Until the end of her life she set the gold standard for how to age gracefully and graciously. She had an unbelievably strong joie de vivre and knew how to enjoy every moment to its fullest. Helen was the personification of elegance and optimism, always maintaining her beautiful appearance and finding the good in everyone. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be remembered for her sense of style, her zest for life, her fabulous homemade coleslaw and the many home-cooked meals she loved to prepare for her family, especially on the Jewish high holidays. She took great pride in her growing family over the years and will be sorely missed by all the lives she has touched. She was a member of Adath Israel Synagogue for over 40 years. Helen leaves behind a sister, Lillian Keller, of Poughkeepsie, NY; her daughter, Harriet Fein-Deeton and her husband Dewey Deeton of Cromwell; and her son, Martin L. Fields and his wife, Nancy Fields of Rocky Hill. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Marcie (Fields) Berger and her husband Mark of Larchmont, NY; Larry Fein and his wife Tammy of Jupiter, FL; Leslie (Fields) Person and her husband Mark of Cromwell; Charlene (Fein) Durham and her husband Jeff of Glastonbury; Melissa Deeton of Beverly Hills, CA; Laurie (Fields) Robbillard and her husband Brian of Middletown; Alan Fields of Westbrook; Rebecca Fields of Rocky Hill; and eleven great-grandchildren: Jared and Elissa Berger, Alex, Matthew and Erika Person; Benjamin and Ethan Fein; Lucas and Eli Durham; Nathan and Jacob Robbillard. In addition, Helen will be missed by her dearly loved nieces, Gayle Feldman and Karen Hausner and also several nephews who have been a great source of comfort and support to her, especially during her illness. The family extends its gratitude to Dr. Robert Levy and Dr. Alan Silberstein and their kind staff at the Cancer Center of Middletown, Peggy Culbert, RN, and the Middlesex Hospital Homecare staff. Funeral services will be held TODAY, January 24, 1 p.m. at Congregation Adath Israel Synagogue, corner of Church and Broad Streets in Middletown. Interment will follow in Congregation Adath Israel Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial observance of Shiva will be held at the home of Harriet and Dewey Deeton, The River Highlands at the TPC, 7 Pierson Green in Cromwell from 6-8 p.m. TODAY, January 24 and Wednesday, January 25. Memorial contributions may be made to Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, 3 Laurel Street, Ste. #3, Hartford, CT 06106 or Adath Israel Synagogue. Doolittle Funeral Home is in charge of memorial arrangements and messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.