Helen P. Roth

Helen Harper Palen Roth passed away on Wednesday, March 18 after a remarkable life as a loving wife, caring mother, and active philanthropic community citizen. She is best described by her closest friends as the most unselfish person they have ever known; always doing for others without thinking of herself. Helen was born at her home in Waterbury, CT on September 27, 1929 to Jesse Miller Palen and Ruth Little Palen. She was a graduate of Crosby High School and Colby College, where she earned Phi Beta Kappa honors. Helen met, and later married her wonderful husband, Robert M. Roth while at Colby. They were married in Waterbury on April 16, 1955. Early in their marriage they lived in Florida, Delaware, and then Connecticut, where they have resided since 1965. Helen was a volunteer for EVERYTHING!!! Meals on Wheels, reading to the blind at Oak Hill School, tutoring at Mark Twain School, the Urban League, driving cancer patients to their appointments, Cub Scout leader, the list goes on and on. She was honored as Volunteer of the Year for the State of Connecticut and at Oak Hill School. She also had her photo on the wall at the Mark Twain School to honor her efforts there. She was an avid swimmer, tennis player, and bowler, and a huge UConn Women’s Basketball fan. You could find her at Cornerstone Pool on Tuesday and Thursday, as recently as this year. She would swim for an hour…she used to swim 40 laps, but was down to 30 this year!!! She was an active member of the First Church of Christ Congregational and worked on and led many of the groups there. Over the years, she was an active member of Red Oak Hill Swim and Tennis Club, The Hartford Golf Club, and The Town & County Club. Helen was incredibly gracious in her support of local charities and organizations, both financially and with her time. She leaves behind to celebrate her inspirational life, her three children; Mark and his wife Pamela Roth, Karen and her husband Steve Ward, and Jeff Roth; as well as her beloved grandchildren Brandon Oates; Kinsey, Kesslyn, and Kylie Ward; Madeline, Molly, and Owen Roth; as well as her great grandson, Cameron Oates. Also, many, many others that have always considered Helen their second mother! Calling hours will be at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford on Friday, March 27th from 4 – 8 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at the First Church of Christ Congregational, 12 South Main Street, West Hartford, on Saturday, March 28th at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverfront Recapture (50 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT 06106) or Oak Hill School (120 Holcomb St., Hartford, CT 06112). Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com.

Helen P. Roth

March 18, 2015