FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Helen G. (Gordon) Tabenken, a resident of Framingham, formerly of Bangor, who died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at her late Framingham residence, from cancer. Mrs. Tabenken was born in New London, Conn., the daughter of Harry and Mildred Zevin Gordon. Helen graduated from Boston University and later moved to Bangor, where she lived for 20 years before moving to Massachusetts in 1985. A loving and devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Tabenken also established herself among colleagues and friends as the consummate professional and a passionate volunteer. For the past 13 years, Mrs. Tabenken was manager of the legal department at Tufts Health Plan, where she supervised department operations, assisted the board of trustees and oversaw administrative staff. Prior to joining Tufts, she was regional administrator for RE/MAX of New England, where she helped grow the organization into a major player in the Northeast real estate market. Before joining the workforce full-time, Mrs. Tabenken was a full-time volunteer, dedicating much of her energy to raising money for healthcare related causes. As statewide fundraising chair for Our House of Maine, she launched and executed the initial campaign to establish Maine’s first Ronald McDonald House for cancer patients and their families. She served as chairperson and manager of the Eastern Maine Medical Center Gift Shop, raising money for the hospital’s cancer center. She also served on the boards of the Eastern Maine Medical Center Auxiliary, and her local Hadassah chapter, and she was a member of B’nai B’rith. Mrs. Tabenken was the beloved wife of Harry, the devoted mother of Marcia Tabenken and her husband, Jeff Kolodney, of Newton and David Tabenken of Boston. She was the loving grandmother of Jacob and Alexandra; and the devoted sister of Margie Spencer and her husband, John, of North Carolina. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Bess Tabenken of Bangor; and her aunt, Anne Zevin; nieces, Wendy and Sheri Seiferheld; and many cousins. Funeral service will be held 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2005, at Temple Beth Am, 300 Pleasant St., Framingham, Mass., with Rabbi Daniel H. Liben from Temple Israel of Natick officiating. Burial will be in the Framingham-Natick Jewish Cemetery, Natick. Memorial observance at her late residence following the burial Friday until 5 p.m. and continuing 1-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday and Monday. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Aid for Cancer Research, P.O. Box 376, Newton, MA 02459 or Healthcare Dimensions Hospice, 48 Woerd Ave., Suite 102, Waltham, MA 02453.
HELEN G. TABENKEN
