more than two decades with her witty columns, celebrity
interviews and dry sense of humor, passed away on Thursday.
May 3, 2018 at her home in Palm Beach. She was 94.
Helen's laughter was infectious and she reveled in helping
others do the same. A student of Palm Beach since relocating
from New York in 1970 with her first husband, Joseph F.
Bernstein, she was the consummate social commentator and a
generous philanthropist who served on several boards including
Planned Parenthood and Hospice of Palm Beach County.
Helen was born in New York city on February 29, 1924. She
attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Helen was
married to Joseph Frank Bernstein on February 6, 1947.
She was later married to Dr_ Jack Feely on June 30, 1995.
At the age of 89 she authored a book chronicling that love
affair with writing entitled: My Journey From Palm Beach
Journalist to Oprah-With Stops Along The Way. The book was
well received and introduced a new generation to the sage
advice of a woman firmly rooted In her profession of choke.
To celebrate Helen's affinity for all things journalism, Joseph
Bernstein made a donation and established the Helen Bernstein
Book Award for Excellence in Journalism at the New
York Public Library in 1987. The award honors outstanding
journalists whose books have drawn attention to important issues
or current events.
Her second husband, Or. Jack Feely, a highly respected gynecologist
in Palm Beach County. preceded Helen in death in
2007. She is survived by her beloved children Kathryn Bernstein
Gandal of Chevy Chase, MD, James Bernstein and his
wife Margaret of New York City and three grandchildren Peter
Gandal, Emily Bernstein and Rebecca Bernstein.
Friends can pay their respects 6:00PM to 8:00PM Monday, May
7 from at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Helen's name to
The New York Public Library, Helen Bernstein Book Award for
Excellence in Journalism, 5th Ave & 42nd St. New York, NY
10018 and TrustBridge Hospice Foundation, 5300 East Ave,
West Palm Beach, FL 33407.
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