Helen Halleck

September 17, 1929 - August 05, 2017

Obituary For Helen Halleck

Helen Louise Halleck passed away in Raleigh, North Carolina on August 5, 2017 at the age of 87. Helen was born in Chicago, Illinois to Nathan and Mildred Goldberg. She was married for almost 66 years to the love of her life, Seymour (Sy) Halleck, M.D., whom she met when they were 13 years old. After that first meeting she promptly wrote in her diary that she had met the man she was going to marry and seven years later that’s exactly what she did.

Helen was a graduate of the University of Illinois, Chicago Campus, where she obtained her teaching degree. She taught school in Gary, Indiana and San Francisco, California, before becoming a full-time homemaker. She accompanied Sy during his commission in the Public Health Service, to San Francisco and Springfield, Missouri, and his residency in Topeka, Kansas. They then moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Helen was very active in the community, volunteering for Head Start, the Juvenile Court system, and as an election poll watcher. Helen and Sy moved to Chapel Hill, NC in 1972, where she obtained Master of Social Work degree from UNC.

Upon receiving her MSW IN 1974, Helen worked on the Children’s unit at Butner Hospital, and then at UNC Hospital Children’s Psychiatric Unit. She retired from UNC after more than 20 years of service. Helen was a tireless advocate for children and the mentally ill throughout her life. She was President of the UNC School of Social Work Alumni Association, served on the Orange County Commission for Social Services, and together, with Sy, served on the Advisory Council of Club Nova, a local organization devoted to assisting individuals in recovery from the effects of mental illness.

Helen loved the beach, and spent many happy hours at her Figure Eight Island house, with Sy, assorted kids, grandkids, and friends. She was a devoted wife, grandmother and great grandmother.

Helen was predeceased by her loving husband, Sy, her parents, and her older sister, Arlene Stern. She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her daughters; Nancy Halleck (Tom Hart) of Saratoga Springs, NY, Judith Marks (John) of Raleigh, NC, and Betsy Giduz (Tom) of Chapel Hill, NC; four grandsons, Danny Marks, Jameson Marks (Hilary), Matthew Hart, Jeffrey Hart (Anna); two granddaughters, Kate and Natalie Giduz; two great-grandsons, Elijah Marks, and Brandon Hart, and one great-granddaughter, Valerie Hart. She is also survived by her three nephews and two nieces, and by many cousins who adored her, and will miss her charm, joy for life, and wicked sense of humor.

The family wishes to thank Rex 24-hour Nursing Care and Transitions Hospice Care (especially her Nurse Manager, Cliff) for their attentive care. We are grateful to her roommate, Cindy, to Franklin and Federica, and with much love, to Peaches who gave and cared with all of her heart.

A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Helen Halleck will be held at 11 a.m., August 26, 2017 at the Renaissance Funeral Home at 7615 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh NC, 27615. A luncheon will be served following the service.

Contributions to the Club Nova of Carrboro, NC (www.clubnova.org) would be appreciated. Condolences: rfhr.com

Services

26 Aug

Celebration of Life Service

11:00 AM

Renaissance Funeral Home & Cremation Tribute Center 7615 Six Forks Rd Raleigh, NC 27615 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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September 01, 2020

Noah Stern

So sorry to hear about Aunt Helen's passing; I was in Los Angeles and went down to have breakfast with all the Brenners; I literally walked in the door when Marty shared the sad news. I immediately called Andrew, who was also saddened. It's been a tough few years, the passing of an entire generation of loving cousins. We will always remember Aunt Helen's energy and spirit, her humor and charm. All is well here - Eva and I recently relocated to Palo Alto; she has a new job here and I'm teaching up in SF three days a week. Maya just started kindergarten (first day!) Our love and prayers are with you.. Love, Noah