Helen Maislen, 100

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Helen Shapiro Maislen, 100, of Salisbury Estates in Pittsfield, passed away quietly on December 6, 2017, surrounded by her loving family.  

She was born in North Adams on March 19, 1917, the daughter of Annie and Samuel Shapiro. She was preceded in death by all of her siblings: Rose, Stanley, Sheldon (Buddy), Allie and Lillian.

Helen graduation from Drury High School and in 1938 from Smith College.  She was married to the late Dr. Arthur Maislen.  

She is survived by their three daughters, Linda Frieze (Michael) of Boston, Judith Cook (Jeffrey) of Pittsfield and Susan Korn (Robert) of Philadelphia. Peter Perault (Nancy) of Chapel Hill, N.C., was welcomed into the family as a teenager. Helen loved and doted on her 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She enjoyed keeping track of all their activities and accomplishments. Her life was also enriched by her relationships with her Shapiro nieces and nephews.

Helen was a active community volunteer. She was a member of Hadassah, Temple Anshe Amunim and was honored by the Jewish Community as “Person of the Year.” She recorded for the blind, was a member of the Junior League and the Pittsfield Girls Club (Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center). She thoroughly believed in the concept of volunteerism.

Helen did take time to enjoy the outdoors. She loved planting her garden and her time on Onota Lake. She played tennis, was an avid golfer into her 80s and was among the few who had a hole-in-one. Living to 100 with all her mental faculties was a blessing. We are grateful to her caregivers - Lucy, Wendy, Cheryl, Tracy, Ellen and Patty - who helped her maintain a quality of life.

Funeral notice: A funeral service will be held at Congregation Knesset Israel, Sunday, December 10, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. followed by burial in the Pittsfield Cemetery. A memorial shiva week will be held at the home of Judith and Jeffrey Cook, Monday through Thursday, 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen’s memory to the Maislen Fund at the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, the Renewal Fund at Congregation Knesset Israel or Hospice Care of the Berkshires.