Helen Eileen Fineman

Helen Eileen Fineman passed away peacefully in the early morning of February 15, 2024, surrounded by her family, dear friends, and a tremendous amount of love. Helen was 89 years old.

Helen was born April 9, 1934, in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated from Upsala College with a degree in Business and Accounting. She worked in her family’s furniture business as an accountant and later in life sold furniture for many years at Montgomery Ward.  Helen made friends with colleagues and customers alike, while furnishing people’s homes and earning the “Top Salesperson Award”. While she received many accolades in her professional life, Helen would always tell you that her greatest achievement was the success she had raising her family.

Helen kept track of everything and everyone. She also enjoyed reading novels, watching sports, and playing games like Mahjongg, Bridge, and Bingo. Helen dedicated the majority of her time doing things for other people. Whenever someone was in need, Helen was the first to help. When a loving ear was needed, Helen was there with utmost trust and attention.  If you were facing a challenge in life she would provide you with encouragement and support. If friendship was the goal, there was none better than Helen.

Nothing in Helen’s life was more important than her family and friends. Helen spent sixty-eight beautiful years with her husband, Theodore Fineman. She successfully raised five children and had nine incredible grandchildren and three blessed great-grandchildren. Helen cherished each and every relationship and remains the heart of the family, with a legacy of love, kindness, and closeness toward everyone. Helen’s message of selflessness will continue to have no bounds.  True love and admiration will forever be associated with Helen, as these were the values she lived by.  She was a woman of valor with unbelievable strength to overcome any challenge. Our lives are all enhanced for having known Helen. 

Helen’s language of love was through cooking and baking for others.  Her special love reached everyone: friends, neighbors, colleagues, medical professionals, and of course to her family. Specialty requests to make her signature recipes such as cheesecake or ruggelach has covered every State of the Nation.  Helen’s dishes will remain unique, as all came directly from her heart, rather than a recipe. 

We honor a woman who not only embraced every role she undertook, but also left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to have known her. May Helen’s memory be of blessed memory, and may her spirit continue to inspire all who were touched by her remarkable presence. 

Helen is preceded in death by her parents Florence and Aaron Gottfried, her sister Melvia Silber, and her first-born grandson, Daniel Resnick.

Helen is survived by her husband, Theodore Fineman; children, Sanford (Joanne) Fineman, Holly (Steve) Resnick, Iris (Arnold) Weiss, Alan (Stephanie) Fineman, Janet (Bryan) Unterhalter; grandchildren Stephanie (Steve) Benyi, Joel Fineman, Brandon Resnick, Benjamin (Tess) Weiss, Liam Fineman, Fletcher Fineman, Sarah Unterhalter, and Mandy Unterhalter; and great-grandchildren, Karli Resnick, Ava Benyi, and Chloe Benyi.

A graveside service was held for Helen on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 1:30pm at Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Iselin, New Jersey.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Helen’s honor to the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast.