Helen S. (Staehle) Johnson

Helen Staehle Johnson , born, Helen Leona Staehle April 11th 1921 to Henry J Staehle and Leona Seacord in New Rochelle , New York in a their home that was sitting by the Titus Mill Pond . Helen`s family on her mother`s side were direct descendants of the French Huegonauts that settled in New Rochelle in the 1600`s.

Helen had a great run in her life, Met an amazing man in high school Charles W Johnson ,dated and Helen waited for " Whitey" to come back from the Navy in the Pacific theater WWII, married September 28th 1944 The Johnsons, started their family and bought a house in Valhalla, NY.

My parents raised 3 sons, Peter William , Christopher Thomas and Henry J. They moved to Thornwood in 1960 . They belonged to Westwood Swimming Association where we all learned how to swim . My father was on the Navy Swim Team while he was in the Navy. Helen "dared " her husband that she could swim distances like he was doing.. the race was on !! My mother completed the 100 miler during the summers at Westwood Pool, just like my dad did, and she joined Greenburgh Town Pool ( indoor) in the winter months.

Helen taught bridge , they belonged to several bridge clubs throughout Westchester County , traveled to Europe , New Zealand, The Caribbean and several National Parks in Canada and here in the USA.

We camped all over on summer vacations, Helen and Whitey dressed us kids in the same matching shirts at the New York World`s Fair in case I got misplaced. Helen has 3 grand children , April, Kate ( Zeuss) , and Margret ( Maggie) ( Mathew) and 3 great grand children , Jacob , Cassandra and Oliver. Helen was predeceased by her parents, her oldest son Peter in 1991, her husband Charles in 1998, and her middle son Chris in 2014.

Helen worked as an executive secretary in the medical field for many years , then in the Commercial Decal Industry til her retirement in 1988. She continued to swim into her early 90`s , swimming laps, and hiked into her 70`s. She enjoyed cooking, reading , continued playing bridge at home and in Pike County, Pennsylvania. She was loved by many friends and family who will always remember her sharp wit and compassion.