Eileen Helfer

       Fort Lauderdale, FL - Eileen Genevieve Helfer, 83, died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 12, 2021, born in Wheeling, West Virginia, raised in Columbus, Ohio, and graduated Columbus North High School.

       Her interests included: figure skating on roller skates; designing elaborate skating costumes; insatiable reading; travel with friends & family and word puzzles.

       She worked on the Administrative staff at Ohio State University (1955-1975) as a secretary for Dean of Women and then Dean of Students.

       Eileen's "second act" was her call-to-service as a respected Ft. Lauderdale community activist. In May 2020, Ft. Lauderdale former Mayor Jack Seiler thanked Eileen for her 27 years of civic engagement with a Letter of Commendation thanking her and declaring that day, Eileen Helfer Day.

       In 1997, Eileen co-founded the Central Beach Alliance neighborhood board.

       In the late 1990s, she was appointed to Ft. Lauderdale's Beach Redevelopment Advisory Board. Next the Mayor appointed her to the City of Ft. Lauderdale's Citizens Police Review Board. Her service on that board brought fairness, balance, and objectivity to each Review Board case.

       She was a Parish Council member at St Pius X Catholic Church and lived her Catholic faith through boundless kindness shared with all. Her respected perspective was sought by Parish staff and members.

       Survived by sisters Patricia Poppe (Jack) of Columbus, Ohio, and Kathleen Kesterson (Richard) of Newark, Ohio, nieces, and nephews, Eileen will be missed dearly.

       She is predeceased by parents, Elmer Daniel, and Genevieve Marie (Hicks) Helfer of Columbus, Ohio; brothers Daniel and Fred Helfer; sister Rosemary Gordon; and best friend and travel companion --Roy E. Brinkman, whose 2017 passing she felt deeply.

       Lastly, but with the utmost gratitude we are grateful to Emil Szegner for special care of Eileen the past few years.

       Arrangements being handled by Fischer Funeral Home with private family Mass of celebration and internment at Saint Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Lockbourne, Ohio on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

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