Helen Lucille Rhodes' Obituary
A beautiful soul has departed this life. Helen B. Rhodes, 96, a nearly 17 year resident of both Montvale and Woodcliff Lake, NJ, passed away on Sunday, May 11th, 2014, in Fort Myers, Florida. Born Helen Lucille Benoit in Enosburg Falls, Vermont on April 9th, 1918, she was the daughter of Gala and Harrison Benoit. Prior to graduating from the St. Lawrence School of Nursing in Ogdensburg, NY, she resided in Fort Covington, NY with a beloved aunt and uncle, Eva and Frank Erwin. It was during her nurse’s training at Bellevue Hospital in NYC, that she met her future husband, Harry Rhodes Jr., M.D., a resident physician. They were married in June 1941 in NYC. Following the war, they made their home in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, where her husband had a family practice for 28 years. Helen was her husband’s office nurse until their family expanded. Together they had six children. Following his retirement in 1974, they resided in Shawnee-On-Delaware and Stroudsburg, PA for 22 years. She is predeceased by her husband Harry Rhodes Jr., M.D,, a son H. Zachary Rhodes of Wheelock, Vermont, a son Michael William Rhodes of Stroudsburg, PA, a brother Lloyd Benoit of Enosburg Falls, Vermont, and a sister Madeline Howard of Grafton, Massachusetts. She is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Barth of Fort Myers, FL, a son, Steven Rhodes (Patricia) of Fort Myers, FL, a daughter, Debra Nolasco (Cesar) of Upper Saddle River, NJ, a daughter, Jennifer Barth (Gary) of Palmerton, PA, a daughter-in-law, Linda Rhodes, of Wheelock, Vermont, a daughter-in-law, Joan Bornkessel of Sunset Beach, NC, and a sister Gwen Kelley of Salisbury, NC. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Following cremation, there will be a private final resting place dedication, and a celebration of her life. Memorial donations may be made to either Liberty USO, 8500 Essington Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19153 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. – See more at:
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