Obituary of Helen Berleth Dabule

On November 29, 2020 our beautiful mother passed away peacefully and went home to the Lord at the age of 91. She was a long-time resident of East Northport. In 1943 at the age of 14, Helen moved to Huntington from Queens with her family due to gas rationing since her father's dry cleaning business was located there. On the first day of high school, she met the love of her life, Charles Dabule.  She graduated from South Huntington High School as Valedictorian with many awards. She went on to attend Syracuse University's 4 1/2-year nursing program. Helen and Charlie dated throughout college; and with permission from the Dean at Syracuse, they were married on August 26, 1950. She returned to campus and graduated in December of that year at the top of her class with a BS in Nursing.  In 1952, while expecting their first child, Helen and Charlie purchased a home in East Northport where they lived together for 64 years and raised five children (Mark, Paul, Heidi, Jeb and Kim.)  Jeb and Kim, Helen’s nephew and niece, were raised by Helen and Charlie after the death of their father in 1973.  Helen became the Supervising Public Health Nurse for Suffolk County in 1966 and enjoyed her career until retirement in 1991.  She loved to travel to warm climates, especially Hawaii and Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. She enjoyed a lifetime of loyal friendships and celebrating every occasion with family. Her compassion and empathy for others was unwavering, and her delightfulness and infectious laughter will be remembered always. Helen was a Christian woman and served the Lord all of her life.  She was very active in Huntington Baptist Church and loved to sing in the choir as she did since her teenage years. She became the Chairperson of the Board of Deacons, and enjoyed her fellowship with others. She was always giving, always caring for others and a blessing to so many. Helen battled breast cancer and stomach lymphoma from 2006-2011 and overcame the horrific illness with grace and dignity.  Charlie lost his short battle with cancer and went home to the Lord on July 29, 2014. In 2016 Helen moved to South Carolina with her daughter Heidi and son-in-law, Kevin, where she enjoyed the beach, her ladies group and being near family that she missed so very much. The blessings left behind are bountiful.  Her grace and example of selflessness will carry on. Our beautiful angel will be missed but oh the memories we have.

She is survived by 5 children Mark Dabule (Debbie), Paul Dabule (Gale), Heidi (Dabule) O’Gara (Kevin), Jeb Berleth (Dina) and Kim (Berleth) Palmer (Keith); 12 grandchildren Paul, Lauren (Adam), Ashley (Richard), Brittany, Kyle, Justin (Lisa), Kaitlyn (Ben), Kayla (Jason), Colin (Lauren), Brooke (Tommy), Mackenzie and Theresa; 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service in the spring of 2021 will be planned.