Obituary of Hélène Golden

     Hélène Golden - 91, of Cliffside Park, NJ (nee Thiriot) passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones.  Born January 8, 1926 she spent her childhood in Provins, France.   Remarkably, Hélène went to Paris and earned her law degree by the impressive age of 21.  Paris is the “City of Love”, and it was there that she met and fell in love with a charming American veterinary student, Carl B. Golden.

After a long trans-Atlantic voyage on Le France, she found herself in Brooklyn, NY.  With one foot deeply planted in France, the other one struggled to root itself in this foreign land.  From there, they settled in Cliffside Park, NJ where they raised 3 beautiful girls and Hélène continued her education at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  In 1967, she graduated Summa Cum Laude (unbeknownst to her) from Fairleigh Dickinson University and started her second career as a Professor.

Hélène lived for her family, especially her grandchildren, and loved gourmet cooking, fine wine, entertaining and travelling to all corners of the world.  She was an avid reader of all types of books, and loved to participate in Book Clubs.  She treasured everything that concerned nature; she was a history buff – a walking encyclopedia as we often referred to her and a passionate art lover.  Her hobbies were antiquing, photography and gardening.  Hélène was an active member of the Demarest Garden Club.

Hélène was predeceased by her husband Dr. Carl Golden in 2000. She is survived by her two sisters, Francoise “Fanfan” Huth and Monique “Tatie” Chassinat, her children Caroline and her husband Emmanuel Clement, Claire Golden, and Isabelle and her husband Craig Schuster, and her grandchildren Stefan, Christopher, Olivia, and Claudia.

Donations to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (pulmonaryfibrosis.org) – the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is founded on their mission to act as the trusted resource for all who are affected by this disease would be gratefully appreciated as would donations to organizations that were close to her heart.

National Audubon Society (audubon.org) – this society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas, using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.

Disabled American Veterans (dav.org) – this organization empowers Veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity.

St. Joseph’s Indian School (stjo.org)– this Native America non-profit organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life of Lakota Sioux children and families.

Defenders of Wildlife (defenders.org) – our mom was honored and recognized for 10 or more years of unfailing dedication to the protection of wildlife and habitat it needs to survive.

Funeral from McCorry Brothers, 780 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park on Monday August 14th  at  9AM.  Funeral Mass to be celebrated at Church Of The Epiphany, Cliffside Park, at 10AM.  Interment to follow at Brookside Cemetery, Englewood, NJ.  Visiting hours on Sunday, from 2-6 PM.