Carol Helt

Carol Suzanne Helt, 82
Family matriarch, dedicated volunteer, artist and world traveler
Carol Suzanne Helt, born Carol Suzanne Rosenberg on July 23, 1936, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2018, at the age of 82.
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 33 years, Donald G. Helt Sr.; her parents, Samuel and Mary Rosenberg; her sister, Cindy Bottomly; and son-in-law, Eugene Kleban.
Carol was a wonderful mother to a blended family of seven children and their spouses: Mary and Stanley Karpinski, Joseph Fortunato, Donald and Kathleen, Jacqueline, Curtis and Ellen, William and Cathy Helt, and Kathleen and Andrew Oberfeldt. She was the leading matriarch, grandmother of 16, great-grandmother of 21, and great-great-grandmother of three.
Carol was born and raised in Orange, N.J., later attending art school in New York City. She settled in Prince's Bay, Staten Island, in the early 1950's. She quickly assimilated to suburban life as a homemaker. She enjoyed her time at St. Thomas Church, both as a Girl Scout troop leader and a member of the Altar Society. Carol was also an avid gardener, both personally and with the Prince's Bay Gardening Club.
She later volunteered at the Richmond Memorial Hospital gift shop and chaired the annual Charity Ball fundraiser. This lead to gainful employment. She first served the hospital as registrar in the emergency department, at which time she became New York State certified as an emergency medical technician. She later worked in the department of physical therapy and as secretary to the director of nursing.
In retirement, Carol shared her gift of art by offering classes at her ceramic studio, "Carol's Clay Pit" and volunteering ceramic lessons at The Friendship Club, Mount Loretto. She belonged to and volunteered her time as secretary to St. Marks United Methodist Church, Pleasant Plains.
Carol was a world traveler, with fondest memories of travelling on the QE 2, and her trip to China.
For all those she spent time doing for, her family and friends, those closest to her will miss sharing a cup of coffee at the kitchen table listening to and talking about life. She was the heart of a big, beautiful family and we were all blessed she took such loving care of each and every one of us.
Funeral from Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home on Thursday at 9:15 a.m., with funeral service at St. Mark's UM Church at 10 a.m. Interment to follow at Silvermount Cemetery. Friends may visit on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carol's name to Vietnam Veterans or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital  would be appreciated.