Hellen B. (Missel) Rosenthal, 88, beloved wife of the late Edward Rosenthal for 66 years, passed away on Sept. 4. She was the loving mother of Steven (Joan) Rosenthal, Joel (Patricia) Rosenthal and Mara (Gary) Friedman.
Helen was the intensely proud grandmother of eight grandchildren: Lee (Kathryn), Jon (Kayla) Roze, Alex Rosenthal, Sarah (Benjamin Bronstein) and David (Eleanor) Rosenthal, Max (Sonja), Michael and Ariella Friedman, and devoted great-grandmother to Hazel, Warren, Ellis and Luella Rosenthal. She was preceded in death by her dear sister Lillian (Seymour) Futran.
Helen was born on Feb. 11, 1936, to Max and Mary Missel of Allston, where she was raised up the street from her parent’s grocery store on Glenville Avenue. During her childhood and teenage years, Helen would pitch in at the store, keeping Max and Mary company as they worked seven days a week.
Helen was a proud graduate of Brighton High School and Boston University. In 1956, Helen married the love of her life, Ed, whom she met at age 14 as a high school freshman. In 1962, Helen and Ed moved to Marblehead, fulfilling their dream to live by the ocean.
Helen enjoyed her role as business manager in Ed’s office and engaged in numerous community activities including years of service at Temple Sinai, Hadassah and various family philanthropic endeavors in the local community.
Helen was an avid reader, bridge player and world traveler. She and Ed enjoyed countless great adventures including to the former Soviet Union, Africa, the Galapagos Islands, Europe, the Far East and numerous family trips to Israel.
Above all, Helen loved friends and family. She stayed in touch with a remarkable circle of friends from all chapters of her life, and she exemplified the joy of lifelong friendship. Helen was always enthusiastic about the activities of her friends and family, never wanting to miss a single birthday, game, recital, performance, graduation or award ceremony.
After Ed’s retirement, Helen and Ed enjoyed living in Naples, Florida, and Swampscott — the perfect places to walk the beach together, and to enjoy their growing family.
A graveside service will be held at Dorchester Hebrew Helping Hand Cemetery, 232 Fuller St. Everett, on Friday, Sept. 6, at 10 a.m. Friends and family are warmly invited to gather at the home of Steve and Joan Rosenthal for shiva after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of Helen can be made to Camp Tevya, c/o The Cohen Camps, 888 Worcester Street, Suite 350, Wellesley, 02482, cohencamps.org. For directions or online condolences please go to: goldmanfc.com. Arrangements by Goldman Funeral Chapel, Malden.
