Obituary of Helen Jeannette Windbiel

Helen K. Windbiel (nee Kling) of Larchmont, N.Y. passed away on March 24, 2013. Born on January 8, 1933 in Amsterdam, N.Y. to Donald and Katherine Kling, Helen attended St. Mary's Institute, N.Y., Green Mountain College, Vt., and The College of Mount St. Vincent, N.Y. She married her childhood sweetheart, Robert Karl Windbiel, a Social Studies teacher at White Plains High School, who predeceased her in 1984. The couple moved to New York City in the late 1950s where they began a family of three boys, Robert, John, and Andrew. They lived a life rich with wonderful friends, parties, and Broadway shows, taking full advantage of all that the city had to offer. The family moved to Larchmont in 1969 where they enjoyed a somewhat quieter existence. Once the children reached a certain age, Helen went to work, commuting to Young & Rubicam advertising agency on Madison Avenue where she handled travel expense accounts for the creative department. She enjoyed her work and was, unsurprisingly, much loved there. She remained at Y&R for 18 years. Helen was a devoted parishioner at St. Augustine's Church. She also volunteered for years at soup kitchens in lower Westchester. She gave selflessly and joyously, this was the hallmark of her life. Helen touched the hearts of everyone she came into contact with. Her love of people showed through in her warmth and humor, and her guilelessness never failed to disarm strangers and loved ones alike. She is survived by her sister Mary Christine of Marietta, Ga. She is also survived by her three sons, Robert (with his wife, Kimberley and children, Bix and Genevieve), John (with his partner Kaori Abe), and Andrew (with his wife, Sachiko), of New York City and Larchmont. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Helen K. Windbiel to the Alzheimer's Association: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp