Helen M Kellner, 94, of North Andover Mass, died peacefully at her home on 26 September 2015 with her dear friend, Richard, by her side.
Born in Milton MA on April 30, 1921, to the late Benjamin and Kathryn (Donnelly) Kellner, Helen attended Quincy High School where she graduated with highest honors and attended Boston University, studying art. In 1943, Helen moved with her parents and brother, Bernard from their residence in Boston to a house built before 1719 in North Andover, Mass.
Helen had a talent for recognizing appealing clothing fashion and became a buyer for Jays on Newbury Street and Filenes of Boston, Mass. At Filene’s, she headed women’s and children’s departments. After retiring from Filene’s, Helen worked as an assistant to Marjory Penny, an interior decorator located in Andover, Mass. Helen’s natural skill at customer relationships was valued.
Helen was a member of the North Andover Garden Club for many years, speaking at meeting for a few moments on the culture of plants. She was a member of the New Hampshire Orchid Society. Helen grew orchards and was an exhibitor and competitor of orchids at the Massachusetts Flower Show. Her perennial gardens at her home were on the North Andover Historical Society Garden Tour.
In the summer of 2010, Helen hosted Caroline Lejeune of Paris, France, who was the daughter of her friend in Paris. Caroline and Helen both enjoyed the classics, particularly Jane Austin’s novels.
Helen had a love of culture and the arts. She was a member of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabell Stewart Gardner Museum. She was also a frequent visitor at the Peabody Essex Museum. For many years she had a reserved seat at the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Helen was an artist in water colors. Many of her drawings were of orchids and won ribbons in competitions. Helen painted greeting cards she sent to friends. She was a volunteer art teacher at the North Andover Kittredge School and as a senior citizen, assisted the children’s librarian at the Steven’s Coolidge Library in preparing seasonal art.
Helen is remembered most for the many enduring friendships she made over the years. She welcomed new neighbors, who in turn visited and often extended their help to her. Helen’s friendship, hospitality, wit and humor, and her love of the simple pleasures in life will be missed by those who knew and loved her.
Helen is survived by many friends: Lillian Stone of Hyannis port, Mass, friends since the first grade; William and Elizabeth McCullom, Boxford MA; Donald and Marjory Penny, Vero Beach FL; Catherine Hanley, Boston Mass and now Burlington VT; Patricia Carey, Haverhill MA; Clare Phelan, North Andover Mass, Sandra Knox, Haverhill MA, David and Janet Dellea of North Andover, MA and Richard Kulpinski, North Andover, MA and his family, among many others.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 10:00AM in St. Michael Church 196 Main Street, North Andover, MA, 01845. A burial will follow in the Ridgewood Cemetery in North Andover, MA.
Friends may call on Tuesday, September 29, 2015 from 3:00PM to 7:00PM at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home Inc. 35 Merrimack Street, North Andover, MA, 01845, for more information or to send an online condolence please visit our website at: www.breenfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Children's Library at Stevens Memorial Library, 345 Main Street, North Andover, MA, 01845.