Helen Cecile Ainson

Helen Cecile Ainson, 86, of Branford, died peacefully at Yale New Haven Hospital on February 5th, 2013 She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Raimund Ainson, 19 days earlier

Helen was born in New York City in 1926 and lived her childhood in the years of the Great Depression Valuable lessons were learned by her and her beloved brother Harris and sister Mildred

She emerged from those dark days with a high school degree and classes completed at City College in psychology, merchandising, and retail Helen became a modern day pioneer in women's business by gaining the support and trust of local banks

They had never seen a lady – with so much desire and conviction – ask for a small business loan At 22 years of age she opened her first dress shop, bearing her name From the East Side of Manhattan she became an upper echelon figure in the New York fashion industry

In 1971, she opened the second "Helen Ainson" shop opened in Greenwich, Connecticut Her daughter, Erica Jensen, opened a third store in Darien, Connecticut in 1977 which celebrated its 35th year this past October Helen moved from the city to the suburbs, where she so proudly raised her children

She loved the seashore, boating and the beach With her passing the world lost a woman of integrity and dignity She touched the hearts of all those she met Helen Ainson was filled with poise, beauty and class

She is survived by her daughter, Erica Jensen-Griffin and husband Jeffrey of Rowayton, Connecticut, her son Geoffrey Ainson and wife Diane of Branford, and four grandchildren, Brittany and Katrina Jensen and Danielle and John Ainson

A private memorial service will be held at the WS Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 224 North Main Street, Branford