Helene J. Perry
LEWISTON – Helene (Schwartz) Perry, lost her two-year battle with cancer on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
Helene was born in 1938 the daughter of Maynard and Mazie Schwartz of Auburn. She was educated in Auburn schools and graduated from Edward Little High School in 1956.
She went on to Lasalle Jr. College, graduated in 1958 with an associate’s degree as a Medical Secretary.
On Aug. 7, 1960, she married the love of her life, Lewis. They moved to Lewiston and raised two children, David and Illysa.
In 1967 she decided to become a teacher, starting out as a reading and phonics specialist in the Lewiston School Department. In 1980 she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education at Goddard College in Vermont and in 1992 she earned her master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Southern Maine.
Helene taught at Jordan and Montello Elementary schools, where she was a highly respected and beloved teacher. A great many parents requested their children be placed in her classes. Once she earned her master’s, Helene became Principal of Wallace Elementary and then Vice Principal at McMahon and Montello Elementary Schools. She retired in 2000.
Helene enjoyed playing bridge and mah-jongg with her many friends. She was a long time member of Temple Shalom of Auburn; in years past, she also belonged to Beth Abraham and Beth Jacob Synagogues.
Helene will be sorely missed by all who loved her, especially her husband of 63 years, Lewis; her son and daughter-in-law, David and Clare Perry of Bend, Ore., her daughter and son-in-law, Illysa and Noam Izenberg of Columbia, Md.; and her five grandchildren, Jonah, Sayde, and Nelia Perry and Zev and Benjamin Izenberg. Her little dog, Razzle, will miss her too.
Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family on Helene’s memorial page at http://www.albert-burpee.com
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Temple Shalom Synagogue, 74 Bradman St., Auburn.
Arrangements are under the care of Albert and Burpee Funeral Home, 253 Pine St., Lewiston, 782-7201.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Helene’s memory to
Temple Shalom
P.O. Box 3315,
Auburn, ME 04212-3315 or
American Cancer Society,
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