Helen (Ernst) Weber was born on May 1, 1928 in New York City, New York and died on October 1, 2024. She grew up in New York City. After high school, she became a flight attendant for Braniff Airlines. While raising four children, Helen paid her way through college and eventually earned a masters degree. A librarian and reading teacher, she educated children in the United States as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands. Helen settled in Winthrop-by-the-Sea, where she volunteered for the Town and as a travelers’ aide, and proctored for Harvard and Suffolk Law School. She worked in the travel industry at the Port of Boston well into her eighties. More importantly, she traveled often and extensively, considering the ocean her resort and the globe her playground.
Fiercely independent, Helen lived in her Winthrop home overlooking Boston Harbor past her 96th birthday. Helen was predeceased by her parents, brothers Eugene, Carl and Otto Ernst, sisters Frieda Borgo, Hedwig Person, Dorothea Sell and Hilda Bormann, and daughter Mary Eschels. She is survived by daughters Helen Addison and Ruth Weber, son. Arthur Weber, son-in-law Philip Eschels, granddaughters Helena Thatcher and Mary Katherine Ison, grandson-in-law Levi Ison, great-granddaughter Mary Laine Ison, and three generations of nieces and nephews.
Her final days were ones of comfort thanks to the love of family and friends, her faith in God, and the excellent care given by the staffs of Massachusetts General Hospital and Care Dimensions in Lincoln, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Elizabeth Eschels Memorial Scholarship Fund.
A private gathering will be held at a later date.
