Helen A. Toth of Groton passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 1:30am at Apple Rehab in Mystic.
Helen was born on Christmas Day, 1921, in Bridgeport, CT, to Harry V. and Kittie D. Abbott. She graduated from Bassick High School in 1939 and worked in Bridgeport for City Trust Bank until her retirement.
Helen was married to Oliver L. Stendahl of Fairfield until his passing. She then met the love of her life, Elmer A. Toth, also of Fairfield. They were married on February 4, 1967, and spent a wonderful life together in Fairfield, Mystic, and Groton CT until his death in August 2001.
Helen and Elmer were active in the Groton/Mystic community, most notably at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Mystic, and at Mystic Seaport where they served first as volunteers and then as staff members. Helen was also an active member of P.E.O. International. Both Helen and Elmer were much loved, and developed wonderful, lasting relationships throughout their lives in Connecticut.
Helen is survived by her son, Loren Stendahl of Wichita Falls, TX, stepsons David Toth of Ashland, NH and Robert Toth of Pittsfield, MA; grandson Brian Stendahl of Silver Spring, MD and granddaughter Ashley Bond of New Orleans,LA.
Helen will be much missed, but all should take comfort with the fact that she is now with her beloved Elmer for all eternity. Sadness and a few tears will most certainly be present, but as Helen so often said, "You've got to laugh your way through Life!" We will all take that to heart, and our love will be with you and Elmer, always.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Graveside Service to be held on Thursday, March 20, at 2:00pm at the Mountain Grove Cemetery, 215 Dewey Street in Bridgeport, CT.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines IOWA 50312.
A favorite verse of Helen and Elmer....
TO THOSE I LOVE
~~By Isla Paschal Richardson~~
If I should ever leave you
whom I love
to go along The Silent Way,
grieve not,
nor speak of me with tears,
but laugh and talk of me
as if I were beside you there.
I'd come ~ I'd come,
could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief
be barriers?
And when you hear a song
or see a bird I loved,
please do not let the thought of me
be sad....
for I am loving you just as
I always have...
You were so good to me!
There are so many things
I wanted still to do ~
So many things to say to you...
Remember that I did not fear...
It was just leaving you
that was so hard to face.
We cannot see beyond...
But this I know:
I loved you so ~ t'was
Heaven here with you!
To share a message of condolence or remembrance with her family, please click the link below.