Helen Elsie Kantor

Helen Elsie Kantor of Ocean Springs, MS passed away Thursday, November 13, 2025. Helen was born in Schaghticoke, NY, on the dairy farm that her parents, Fred and Elsie D'Avignon worked on before they purchased and created a loving home for Helen and her sisters. She has endured the loss of her sisters, Lillian (Tom), Yvonne (Ralph), and Joan and is survived by Patricia (Harold), Bonnie, and Ruth (Brian).

When Helen found the love of her life, Tom Kantor, a member of the US Navy, they together united a wonderful family of eight children; Patti (who she lost in 2008), Rick (Tammy), Cyndi (Mike), Sue (Mark), Tim, Toni (Charley) Terri (Steve) and Tommy (Erin). They enjoyed almost 40 years together. Helen held several jobs, the most prevalent was working for the United States Postal Service for over 20 years. After Tom retired from the Navy, they settled in Mississippi until Tom's death in 2004.

Helen cherished being a grandmother to Maeghan, Heather, Kyle, Niki, Ricky, Charlie, Danielle, Jordan, Dillon, Becca, Kyle and Austin. She was also a great-grandmother to Kaelob, Kynnsie, Jaxson, Henry, Dalton, Sadie, Oden, Cyrus, Seth, Kyli, Abriea, Arayah, Juliette, Evelyn and Rose.

Helen was an experienced horsewomen and even loved to hunt. Family time was spent gardening, fishing, picnicking, camping, and travelling. There were many times where every family member pitched in to make family meals. Cooking as a family was such a joy for everyone. She enjoyed great gatherings both growing up and later where her friends and family would all dance, sing and laugh together.

A graveside service will be held to honor Helen’s life at 1:30 pm on Monday, December 8, 2025 at the Biloxi National Cemetery. Following the service, all are invited to attend a Celebration of Life hosted at Woody’s Roadside in Ocean Springs.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Helen Kantor.