Helene Esther Simonson Abkowitz Bell was born on May 4, 1920, in Brooklyn, NY and expired on Jan. 29, 2012, in Austin, TX. Helene studied dietetics and nutrition at New York University and developed rations for GIs during World War II. After the war, she married Paul B, Abkowitz and moved to Pittsfield to raise a family. She was founding president of Knesset Israel Sisterhood and was actively involved in Hadassah and other organizations. Tiring of volunteer work, she obtained an education degree from North Adams (MA) State College and enjoyed a 25-year career teaching Home Economics in the Pittsfield schools. After the death of her husband and retirement from teaching, she traveled extensively. While on a retirement trip to Israel, she met Bernard Bell. They soon married and traveled each winter and spent summers in Lenox. After his death, she moved her winter home to Austin, TX, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. While in Austin, she was an enthusiastic participant in the UT LAMP program and volunteered extensively with the LBJ Library, several theaters, and other organizations. Her many years of volunteer work have been recognized by the Boston Symphony Orchestra/Tanglewood, Hadassah, LBJ Library, and other organizations. She is survived by her brother, Jerome Simonson of Sharon, CT; her daughter, Linda Abkowitz Alba and Joe Alba; her son, Michael Abkowitz and Patti Abkowitz, and grandchildren, Jonathan Alba, Rebecca Abkowitz and Paul Abkowitz, all of Austin.
Helene Esther Simonson Abkowitz Bell was born on May 4, 1920, in Brooklyn, NY and expired on Jan. 29, 2012, in Austin, TX. Helene studied dietetics and nutrition at New York University and developed rations for GIs during World War II. After the war, she married Paul B, Abkowitz and moved to Pittsfield to raise a family. She was founding president of Knesset Israel Sisterhood and was actively involved in Hadassah and other organizations. Tiring of volunteer work, she obtained an education degree from North Adams (MA) State College and enjoyed a 25-year career teaching Home Economics in the Pittsfield schools. After the death of her husband and retirement from teaching, she traveled extensively. While on a retirement trip to Israel, she met Bernard Bell. They soon married and traveled each winter and spent summers in Lenox. After his death, she moved her winter home to Austin, TX, to be closer to her children and grandchildren. While in Austin, she was an enthusiastic participant in the UT LAMP program and volunteered extensively with the LBJ Library, several theaters, and other organizations. Her many years of volunteer work have been recognized by the Boston Symphony Orchestra/Tanglewood, Hadassah, LBJ Library, and other organizations. She is survived by her brother, Jerome Simonson of Sharon, CT; her daughter, Linda Abkowitz Alba and Joe Alba; her son, Michael Abkowitz and Patti Abkowitz, and grandchildren, Jonathan Alba, Rebecca Abkowitz and Paul Abkowitz, all of Austin.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
See more Abkowitz Bell or Simonson memorials in:
- Knesset Israel Cemetery Abkowitz Bell or Simonson
- Pittsfield Abkowitz Bell or Simonson
- Berkshire County Abkowitz Bell or Simonson
- Massachusetts Abkowitz Bell or Simonson
- USA Abkowitz Bell or Simonson
- Find a Grave Abkowitz Bell or Simonson
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
