Helen Winkler

1936 - 2025

Helen Winkler
03/09/2025
Helen A. Winkler (Hofmann), 88, passed peacefully on March 9, after a short illness. She was born in Albany, NY on May 30, 1936, the daughter of Elfriede (Leissner) and Fritz B. Hofmann. She grew up in Watervliet, NY and graduated from New York State College for Teachers (now SUNY Albany), and later earned a Master's degree in Spanish Language from the University of Hartford. In 1958, she married Gunther Winkler. They had 58 wonderful years together before his passing in 2016.
Helen enjoyed a long career as a Spanish teacher at Bolton High School. She served on the CT chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH) and was named "State Director of the Year" in 1994. In 1995, she was honored by UCONN for "Excellence in Teaching" (which was especially meaningful, as she was a Huskies super-fan). Helen had a great love for the town of Bolton and was an active member of the Bolton Scholarship Fund, serving as President from 1995 to 2007.
She is survived by her sons, Jeffery Winkler and his partner Maricel Lucero of Bolton, MA, Brian Winkler and his wife Dana of Medford, OR; four grandchildren: Danielle Enos and husband Nate of Eden Prairie, MN, Christopher Winkler and wife Ashley of Boston, MA, Eric Winkler and wife Dhyuti of San Jose, CA, Kelly Winkler of Scottsdale, AZ; and one great-granddaughter, Madelyn.
Helen's memorial service will be held on Friday, April 4, at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT, from 4 to 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Bolton Scholarship Fund or the Bolton Land Trust.