Rae Gordon Sargent

Rae Gordon Sargent
Rae Gordon Sargent, a beloved former member of the Greenwich and Shelter Island communities, passed away on Sunday, October 27. She passed peacefully at the age of 94 in Greenwich, CT.
Born in Suffield, England and raised in Cardiff, Wales, Rae's early life was marked by athletic achievement and a passion for tennis and squash. She was a junior doubles champion of Wales and semi-finalist at Wimbledon and captained the Wales Women's Squash Team.
Rae moved to the United States in 1955 and in 1958 married George W. Helme III of Philadelphia and Shelter Island. She spent many cherished summers on Shelter Island, where she was a member of the Shelter Island Yacht Club and the Shelter Island Tennis Club. She championed and helped found the Shelter Island Tennis Tournament in the '70s.
She married J. Weir Sargent, Jr. in 1978 and moved to Greenwich, where she continued playing tennis on various teams in town. She was last seen on the tennis court at age 92, coaching her granddaughter, Sandra Helme. She was known to watch live tennis tournaments on TV, at all hours, and could be heard by the household cheering on or berating her favorite players, as late as 4 am, for the Australian Open.
After the death of Weir Sargent and Rae's father, Leslie Gordon, Rae's mother, Doreen Gordon, joined her in Greenwich. Together, they were instrumental in establishing the Greenwich chapter of the English-Speaking Union.
She went on to have an active career in real estate in Greenwich well into her 80s.
Her vibrant spirit shone through in her love for family, tennis, squash, dancing, entertaining, gardening and her beloved Pekingese dogs, many of which were rescues and simply called Honey. Those who knew Rae remember the twinkle in her bright blue eyes and her humor, warmth, and dedication to friends and family.
She is survived by her children, Lisa Helme Danforth, Charles E. Helme, and Julie Helme Gordon, and George W, Helme IV, Melissa Mark and Liz Montaner. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Liz, Allie, Chris, Skipper, Luke, Jordi and Sandra, and three great-granddaughters, Isabelle, Adriana and Amelia, who called her Gigi. She was preceded in death by her husbands, George W. Helme III and J. Weir Sargent, Jr., as well as her parents, Leslie and Doreen Gordon. She is already dearly missed.
A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 am, December 21, at St. Barnabas Church, 954 Lake Ave., Greenwich, CT, with reception to follow. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations are made to the Union Chapel in the Grove, Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965.