Obituary of Helen I. Shutkind

Helen Irene Shutkind, 86, of Rockville Centre, New York passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 7 with her family by her side.  Helen was born in Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, New York on July 14, 1934.  She graduated Hasbrouck Heights High School in 1952 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Bucknell University in 1956.  She worked as a legal secretary at Ahmuty, Demers and McManus for over 20 years.

Helen married the late Lawrence Shutkind in 1958 and she has lived in Rockville Centre for over 60 years.  Helen is survived by her three children: Richard (Sascha) Shutkind of New York City, Linda (Steve) Griffee of Mount Kisco, and Jeffrey (Terri) Shutkind of Rockville Centre.  She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Samara, Joshua, Laura, Jack, Kyle and William.  

Helen will be warmly remembered for her love of family, hospitality, generosity, wit and outgoing spirit. Christmas was her favorite holiday. Helen loved to buy and wrap presents for her family, decorate the house, and host Christmas dinner, which always included her famous cranberry yogurt jello mold and delicious homemade cheesecake.  She was President of the PTA and a Brownie Leader at Covert Elementary School where her children attended.  She enjoyed entertaining and often had friends over for dinner parties.  Helen was an avid reader and  participated in a book club with her lady friends once a month.  She was athletic too and joined a local tennis and bowling league for many years and skied with her family during the winter months. 

Helen was witty and liked to have fun. She enjoyed wearing things that had a touch of sparkle: bracelets, earrings, shoes, dresses, jackets and even her cat eye glasses.  She loved attending Broadway shows and the ballet each spring in NYC, taking her family to the beach and creating sandcastles with her grandchildren and boating/fishing on the Long Island waterways with her husband Larry. It gave her great satisfaction to catch and net a fish.  Playing games was another favorite pastime and Helen always played to win.  She especially enjoyed playing Bridge, Mahjong, Mexican Train and Rummikub with her dear friends along with Yahtzee and Chinese Checkers. Her favorite dessert was ice cream and nothing made her happier than to share a Carvel chocolate soft serve with a family member or friend on a warm summer day.  

Helen loved life and lived it well.  She will be dearly missed by her loving family and friends and will be forever in our hearts!

You are invited to join us for a Visitation/Memorial service here at Thomas A. Glynn & Son Funeral Home on Saturday, November 21 from 1-3 pm.  Pastor David Grainson will be officiating the Memorial service.

The family encourages those wishing to send flowers to send them to the funeral home on Saturday November 21, 2020 for the visitation.

http://glynnfh.com/159/Local-Services.html

The number of visitors allowed inside the funeral home is limited by NYS Health Department guidelines.

We kindly ask that after paying your respects to the family you exit the funeral home as there may be others waiting to enter the funeral home/chapel

All visitors must wear proper facial covering/mask at all times while inside of the funeral home.

Thank you for your understanding, as we navigate these difficult times we are all facing.   

The Glynn Family