Obituary of Helen T. Jerlin

Helen T. Jerlin (nee Korn), age 83, passed away peacefully at her home on July 15, 2021. She was the beloved wife of the late Lars Jerlin for 46 years. She was predeceased by her daughter Susan. She was the loving and devoted mother of Karen Wiltshire, and Edward and his wife Kirsten, and the cherished grandmother of Matthew Wiltshire and his wife Joanna, and Zander & Lauren Jerlin. She was predeceased by her brother Frank Korn, her sister Linda Shullick, and her brother-in-law Andrew Barone. She is survived by her sister-in-law Barbara Korn, her sisters Barbara Jane Barone and Bonnie Van Note, and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and Godchildren. Her brother-in-law William Van Note passed away on July 18. Helen was born and grew up on Staten Island. She married Lars in 1959, and spent the majority of her life with Lars raising their family in Westerleigh until she moved to Delaware a few years ago. Prior to the birth of her first child, she worked on Wall St in various roles. She was primarily a caregiver for most of her life, to her sisters, her children, her mother, her husband's parents, and to many friends in times of need. Those who knew Helen best would agree that she was one of the best storytellers they knew. She could bring people, situations, relationships, time periods, nuances, and anecdotes alive in engaging, humorous, and poignant ways that would make the listener feel as if they could know and understand people they may or may not have met. Remarkably, the only days Helen ever spent in a hospital were when she delivered her three children. She expressed to her family many times over the past few years that every morning when she woke up, she thought, "Oh, I'm still here! Okay God, I guess you still want me here. Thank you God for another day." This spirit of gratitude and a trusting faith in God, along with her storytelling and generous care-giving, are what her family and friends will remember best. Her family is grateful for the many years, for the life well-lived, and for the life lessons learned through her sage timely advice. A Funeral Service will be held at the Matthew Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 2508 Victory Blvd. on Wednesday 7/21/2021 at 7:30 PM. Family and friends may visit on Tuesday 7/20/2021 and Wednesday 7/21/2021 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. The family kindly asks for the comfort and consideration of all who are visiting, if unvaccinated, to please wear a mask while at the funeral home.