New York, NY and Millbrook, NY – France-Helene Maximilienne Eliat Weindling, of New York City and Millbrook, NY, devoted wife and loyal friend, proud mother and grandmother, passed away at 76, on November 7, 2017.
France-Helene was born on January 20, 1941 in Lisbon, Portugal, a refugee of Nazi-occupied France. She immigrated to New York City in 1953 and in 1961 married Ralph Edgar Weindling of New York, NY.
France-Helene attended the St. Jean Baptiste Parochial High School of NY, followed by Marymount Manhattan College. She graduated with a master’s degree from The School of Library Service of Columbia University in 1965. Following the completion of her degree she worked as a children’s librarian at The Chapin School and The Marymount School for 15 years.
France-Helene returned to Columbia University, and in 1989 she graduated from Teacher’s College with a Master’s of Science in Speech and Language Pathology. She joined the Visiting Nurse Service and spent over 20 years helping aphasia patients throughout New York City regain the ability to speak and communicate.
France-Helene enjoyed horseback riding, skiing and gardening. She and Ralph were a steadfast team, exploring different cultures; together they were faithful friends to a vast community throughout the United States and around the world.
In addition to her husband Ralph and son Adrien, France-Helene is survived by her loving brother-in-law Lester and his wife Liana, her beloved daughter-in-law Gillian and three adoring grandchildren Sofia, Margaux and Elyse.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Heavenly Rest at 90th Street and 5th Avenue, on November 15, 2017 at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jean Baptiste Parochial High School of NY, www.stjean.org or to the Millbrook Library www.millbrooklibrary.org
Two further celebrations of France-Helene’s life will be held in the springtime, in New York City and in Millbrook NY, dates yet to be determined.
