WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn., and BANGOR – Elizabeth Weinstein Helferich, 86, died Friday, March 16, 2012. She was born Jan. 9, 1926, in Peabody, Mass., daughter of Harry and Bessie (Shachatovitz) Weinstein.
Elizabeth, called Lili as a young girl, moved to Newark, N.J., and grew up in her parent’s confectionery and luncheonette. After high school, during World War II, she volunteered to work on farms in Vermont and at an aircraft factory in Arizona to assist in the war effort. Elizabeth moved to Connecticut to attend Hilyer College. She went to work as a switchboard operator at G. Fox & Co. and Statler Hilton. She remained in telecommunications as chief operator at Combustion Engineering ABB for 17 years. She then went to work at Sweet Life Foods until 1993. She started a third career at Geissler’s Supermarket, Windsor, Conn., where she enjoyed providing customer service to disabled customers, the high school cooking class and toddlers until her final retirement at age 84. Elizabeth was one of the original members of Congregation Beth Ahm, Windsor, Conn. She was also a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows Princess Rebekah Lodge No. 68, CE-ABB Retiree Club and Post No. 36 American Legion Auxiliary. She taught English to Jewish immigrants from Russia. She was an avid reader and patron of the library and donated books to the elementary school reading program. Elizabeth was most proud of her three children and her home in Windsor Locks, Conn., where she lived for 50 years.
She was predeceased by her parents; brother, Sam; sisters, Minnie and Eva; and her son, Steven. She leaves a daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Lou Kornreich of Bangor; a son and daughter-in-law, David and Cindy Helferich of Lyndeborough, N.H.; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be held 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 18, in the chapel of Weinstein Mortuary, 640 Farmington Ave., Hartford, Conn., with Rabbi Brahm Weinberg officiating. Interment will be afterward at Hartford Mutual Society Cemetery, East Granby, Conn. Shiva will be held Sunday through Tuesday at 7 Farmstead Lane, West Hartford, Conn., and Wednesday evening through Sunday morning at 21 East Summer St., Bangor. Memorial donations may be made to Young Israel of West Hartford, 2240 Albany Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117. For further information, directions or to sign the guest book for Elizabeth, please visit online at
weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm