Boca Raton, FL – Helen “Honey” Herzenberg, born in Chelsea MA in 1926, was a business owner, artist, athlete, friend and inspiration to many. She passed away last week, in Boca Raton FL at the age of 99, with the same grace that guided her life.
One of five children of David and Rose Chernaik, she grew up in Springfield MA and graduated with honors from Commerce High School. She immediately went to work at Mass Mutual to help support her family. She also was a window designer in a dress shop, leveraging her artistic and decorating talents.
Helen was a devoted partner to Jerry who passed away in 2014. They met in 1942 when she was 16 years old while playing ping pong at the JCC. Jerry enlisted to fight in WWII. When he returned 3 years later, they married. Spanning 68 years together, they built a successful business, Kitchens by Herzenberg, working together every day.
A natural artist, Helen excelled in illustration, design, calligraphy, clay sculptures and in her final years, beading. Her love of sports was legendary, resulting in a life spent sharing this joy with others. She was a Club Champion in golf, won numerous trophies and achieved 4 holes-in-one during her career. Tennis and swimming were an important part of her life. Participating in the Senior Olympics at age 90 brought her much pride.
Helen had a strong belief in exercise and was always active in body and mind. She was an avid reader and Mah Jong enthusiast. A lifelong Democrat, she campaigned and knocked on doors well into her 90’s. She was a volunteer poll worker, and a volunteer for Planned Parenthood.
She will be missed by all who knew her, especially her family. She leaves behind sons Paul (Peggy), John (Merrill) and daughter Jane (James Sagalyn); grandchildren David (Maggie Powers), Alex (Devin Bostick), Danielle (Elliot Wilkinson-Ray), Brittany (Sam Kava) Herzenberg, Jesse (Ayreene) and Sheena (Dan Rivoli) Reiter and Emily Sagalyn; great grandchildren Dixie Go, Isabella Reiter, Susannah Brown, Rosa and Lillian Rivoli, Maya and Betty Wilkinson, Colette Bostick and Ari Kava.
Her funeral was on Monday, November 3rd, 12:00 noon, at the Rubin Memorial Chapel, 7340 Boynton Beach Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL. Following the services, internment will take place at the South Florida National Cemetery.
Donations in Helen’s honor may be made to the following organization.
Boys & Girls of Palm Beach County: www.bgcpbc.org
Operation Rainbow: www.operationrainbow.org
Friends of the IDF: www.fidf.org
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