Obituary of Helena Edgell Franklin

Franklin, Helena Edgell. The family of Helena Franklin sadly announces her death on the morning of December 30, 2010, at the age of 92. She was a loving wife to George Small Franklin, Jr., who died before her; daughter to Stephen Maurice Edgell and Elsie Aldrich Edgell; mother to Helena Rozier, George, Cynthia, and Sheila Lieber; mother-in-law to Charles Rozier and Thomas Lieber; and grandmother to Joshua and Matthew Lieber, and to Laura and Anna Rozier. Born in Denver and raised in Brookline, Massachusetts, she attended Milton Academy and Radcliffe College, and studied dance at Balanchine's School of American Ballet. After spending several post-war years as an aide with the Red Cross in Europe, she devoted herself to life with her husband and children at home in New York City and Oyster Bay, Long Island. Known and loved for her warmth, vitality, charm, humor, outspokenness, perceptiveness, and artistic sensibility, she was a woman of many talents and interests. She loved to read, to sketch and paint, to look after her pets, to travel, and to follow the political scene. Although she was shy by temperament, the strength and depth of the connections she made with people were extraordinary. She will be deeply missed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in her memory to the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders. A Memorial Service will be held on March 19, 2011, at a location to be announced.