Helene Westenburg

A friend, a gracious hostess, a mentor, and a mother; our Helene has passed at the age of 89 in Staunton, Virginia.

Born in the Netherlands in 1935, Helene emigrated to the United States in October of 1970 after her marriage to Hans Westenburg. 

The couple settled in downtown Windsor, CT in 1971. Helene loved her new country and could be seen riding her bicycle to Geissler's supermarket and the local public library. An avid tennis player, she had a broad circle of friends who played at the local club in winter and the open courts in summer. Helene was an enthusiastic cook and gave lessons for the adult education program of Windsor. In 1978, she took a job with Kimberly Hall Nursing Home as an associate recreational director. Over the course of more than two decades, Helene went on to direct and establish recreational programs for the elderly.

Helene and Hans loved to travel; from Watchaug Pond in Rhode Island and throughout the breadth and width of the United States, to Paris with her friend Barbara, Vieques with Marianne and Fred and the Netherlands with a slew of friends, no place was foreign or suspect; each destination was met with joy and pleasure. 

Helene leaves behind her sister, Adine; her two sons, Johan Pieter and Hans Ernst; her grandchildren, Annie, Atticus, Hazel, and Caleb; her niece, Jacqueline; and nephews, Rik and Teun.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at First Church in Windsor on Palisado Avenue.