Helga Antonie Feldman

She was born on October 21, 1940, in Nazi occupied Germany and spent part of her childhood in an orphanage, reporting few fond memories of that institution. A beloved aunt rescued her and brought her to America, where Helga lived the American dream.

Helga met the love of her life through a deceptive encounter. Sam Feldman, who was wheelchair bound due to muscular dystrophy, decided Helga was his ideal date and called, inviting her to dinner. Helga, who worked across the street from Sam, asked him to step outside. Sam had the most attractive man in his office step outside and wave. Helga promptly accepted the invitation. Surprised when her date turned out to be a different man in a wheelchair, she had dinner and learned that her future husband was extremely smart and charming. They fell in love and married shortly thereafter.

Sam was successful and became very well known in the financial industry. Helga, too, was successful as a stockbroker and an entrepreneur, founding a fashion business. Her fashions were featured at fine stores such as Neiman Marcus.

Helga and Sam were passionate about art and music, collecting many masterpieces. This passion led them to a close relationship with Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Their lives together, and Helga’s after Sam passed away, were filled with entertaining artists, musicians and friends in their home and generously supporting the arts and music. Helga continued to enjoy both the Dallas Symphony and Dallas Opera, European travel, and attending the operas and symphonies there.

Helga’s other loves were her Church and her dogs. She sang in the Holy Trinity Catholic Church choir for decades and cherished her church friends. Helga and Sam’s beautiful dachshunds were dog show champions. After Sam passed away, Helga adopted Shadow, a blind rescue dog.

Helga was a shining star to all who knew her, with charm, grace and a sparkling sense of humor. She generously supported a wide variety of important causes, ranging from medical research to feeding the hungry. Her legacy continues through the Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation. Donations in Helga’s memory may be made to KidneyTexas Inc. at www.kidneytexas.org. or mailed to 6138 Berkshire, Suite 10, Dallas, TX, 75225.