Helen Klein

Helen Klein, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother from Coconut Creek, Florida, formerly of Brooklyn, New York, passed away on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.

She was a, loving, witty, and caring person.

In her 97 years, Helen loved greatly and persevered mightily. Born Helen Schlusselberg to Max and Yetta, she married her love, Morton Klein, at the age of 20. Married for 58 years, she was the proud mother to Gloria (Halpern), Alan Klein, and Marilyn (Smith). Helen cherished her children.

Growing up, Helen adored her four sisters and brother. As a young girl, she and her brother shared a passion for music, especially opera, a love that lasted throughout their lives. When the six siblings started their own families, their clan grew to include 16 nieces and nephews.
Helen found great joy in being an aunt.

Helen and Morty enjoyed holiday gatherings, welcoming family and friends into their home and hearts. She loved her friends as if they were family, always being the first to step up whenever needed.

Helen and Morty fell in love during high school. She wanted to marry him in 1944 before he entered the service, but their parents advised them to wait. While Morty was stationed in Germany, they kept in touch through letters. Helen saved all the letters they exchanged during his time overseas.

Once her children were of age, Helen discovered her professional passion as an assistant to a special education teacher. The connections she formed with the miraculous children she met filled her heart. After retiring, she began to paint, and her early canvases captured her gentle elegance in landscapes and portraits.

A new phase began as her grown children pursued their careers and started families. She soon became the "coolest grandma ever" to her grandchildren: Jennifer, Jeff, Lisa, Michael, Kara, and Steve. The grandchildren brought her the greatest happiness. Helen and Morty loved visiting Gloria, Alan, and Marilyn's families and spending time with their six grandchildren. No distance was too far for them.

In February of 2005, Helen suffered a profound loss when Gloria, Alan, Alan's wife Debbie, and Helen's sister-in-law Anita were tragically killed in a car accident. Morty passed away that same week, secondary to a heart condition. In the face of this unimaginable loss, Helen was supported by Marilyn, along with her extended family and dear friends. Despite the pain, Helen went on to live a beautiful life, welcoming 12 great-grandchildren and continuing to be a treasured part of her family's life. Helen made the impossible possible and did so with style, grace, and love.

In March 2020, just as the global pandemic cast a shadow on the world, Helen suffered a massive stroke. The next five years were extremely difficult, yet through those times, Helen's spirit, appreciation for life, and sense of humor continued to shine.

Helen was the matriarch of her family. She exemplified strength and showered others with generosity, compassion, and love. She will be dearly missed but forever celebrated.

Memorial donations may be made to: "The Gloria M. Halpern Scholarship."
Montgomery College Foundation,
9221 Corporate Blvd. 3rd Floor
Rockville, MD 20850