Helen Jerome

Helen Jerome

Helen Jerome (nee Horwitz) died on Friday, May 16, 2014, in North Woodmere, N.Y., surrounded by her loving children following a lengthy illness. Helen was born in Elmira, N.Y., in 1918, to Solomon Horwitz and Lena Gebalovitch. She attended Elmira public schools and graduated from Mary Washington College, Fredericksburg, Va., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941. She returned to Elmira after college and married Robert D. Jerome in August 1941, prior to Robert's service in the U.S. Army. Helen worked with the Jerome family and then with Robert and his brother Arnold running the family business, Jerome's Clothing Store from 1942 until it closed in 1978. Helen enjoyed cross-country skiing and biking with her husband. She was an avid swimmer and walker much of her life. She was active in community organizations and served on the board of the Chemung County Historical Society, was a founding member of the Mark Twain Society of Elmira, and a member of the Sisterhood of the Congregation B'Nai Israel.First and foremost, Helen was a devoted wife and mother. She kept a lovely home for her family, was a good cook and noted gardener, and enjoyed the game of bridge. Helen is survived by her three children, Elaine Brodsky and her husband Norman, and Edward Jerome, Michael Jerome and his wife Marianne; her granddaughters, Beth Brodsky Becher and her husband Ari, Rachel Luna, and Elisabeth Applbaum and her husband Shai; her brothers Samuel Horwitz; and Leon Horwitz, and great-grandchildren, Ava Rose Luna and Dean Applbaum; and other family members. She was predeceased by her husband Robert; her parents Lena and Solomon Horwitz; and brothers David, Alexander, Harold and Gerald Horwitz. There will be no calling hours. Funeral services will be held at Congregation Kol Ami, 1008 W. Water St., Elmira on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. with Rabbi Mimi Biatch officiating. Interment will follow in Temple B'nai Israel Cemetery, Elmira. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jerome & Etkind Library Fund, Congregation Kol Ami, 1008 W. Water St., Elmira, N.Y. 14905 or The Center of Mark Twain Studies, Elmira College, One Park Place, Elmira, NY. 14901. Arrangements by Baker Family Funeral Home.