A Beautiful Life – Helen Celestine Escoffier
I first met Helen several years ago, while still living in the city. When my husband Julian and I were ready to move, Helen and her mother, Cathryn, recommended Westchester and helped us to find our house. I will never forget the first time she came to visit us here. She staggered through the doorway carrying a giant amethyst crystal over a foot and a half high, “I brought you a housewarming present” she said, and then added with a laugh “but can you help me now, it’s very heavy?” So together we carried it up the stairs to my meditation room and between us we actually felt and sensed the perfect placement for it. That is where it still sits, in an honored position.
It feels like our many years of friendship and visits just flew by. So many days we would gather around Helen’s kitchen table, and I’d get to know some of the many wonderful people in the StarVisions community. Everybody knew that her door was always open to anybody who needed her. On other occasions Helen came to dinners at our house, and fit right in with all of the people we introduced her to. It was a wonderful friendship of mutual exchange of ideas, friends, and more.
This last Sunday, the 24th June 2012, the day of Helen’s memorial, was beautiful and sunny. The church was packed to overflowing with dear friends and family, and it was clear to see how much she was loved and adored by all. The ceremony opened with Bear Walker’s loving words and his drumming set the pace and provided the heartbeat of the service. The Reverend Deborah Moldow gave a beautiful welcoming speech and Howard Kelly’s warm humor lifted our spirits and brought smiles to our faces. There were so many wonderful eloquent speakers, including Roland Comtois and Deana Marie. Many thanks to Jim Guerci for everything he did, as well as putting together the inspirational video display with Helen’s vision of the world and hope for StarVision’s future.
Also thanks to Jim Rusin who spoke movingly as he thanked the community. He, his wife Leila, and so many truly loving people helped Helen in her last days. I personally don’t know all their names but they were there for Helen when she most needed them and for that they deserve our heartfelt thanks and love.
The various musical offerings and meditations were a real solace to us all. I couldn’t help but think that this was Helen’s real gift to us: this wonderful community that shares so much love that we can heal each other from this great loss, and together continue her vision.
To listen to a podcast interview with Helen go to Interview
To visit Starvisions, go to www.starvisions.org