Helen Simons Thompson was born in the village of Harlem, New York, New York on November 17, 1928. Helen was the daughter of Zachaues Simons from Warwick, Bermuda and Ida Bassett Simons of Paget, Bermuda. She was the eldest of three children, Zachaues Wilson Simons and Hilton Aubrey Tucker.

Helen attended Public School 5, and Junior High School 136. During her time at JHS 136 she was voted mayor of her school. Helen graduated in June of 1948 from Commerce High School on West 66th Street and Broadway, a location which is now Lincoln Center. For her high school graduation her maternal grandmother sent tickets to her and the family to come to Bermuda. She loved it so much she stayed for one year.

Upon returning to New York, Helen met the love of her life, Edmund Earl Thompson, at her cousin's wedding in 1950. Helen and Earl were married on September 21, 1952 at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Harlem. They were married for 63 years. From this union four daughters were born, Earleen, Heleen, Idaleen, and Darleen.

In those days many women could not keep their jobs or positions once they desired to start a family. In between the years of raising her four daughters, she was hired as an archive clerk typist for the United States Corps of Engineers (1950 to 1954), Lord and Taylor's, The Jewish Theological Seminary, Channel 13 (PBS) and the New York City Department of Education. Then in 1976 Helen was hired by Dollar Savings Bank as an archive clerk typist and retired in 1990 as a supervisor of the Student Loan Archives Department.

Helen held positions as a member of the vestry board, a bookkeeper, St. Paul’s Vacation Bible School Teacher and a Sunday school teacher at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in the Bronx for many years. She participated in many of the church's activities and was also willing to lend a helping hand to assist in any way possible.

In 1991, Helen moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina with her husband and family. Helen was involved in her new community. She was the secretary of the Reynold’s Forest Neighborhood Association.

Helen and her family joined St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and became a member of the St. Ann’s Guild.

Helen Simons Thompson is survived by her daughters, Earleen Reid of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Heleen Slater of Manhattan, NY, Idaleen Burns of Charlotte, NC, and Darleen Troy Ross of Manhattan, New York; grandchildren, Kenneth Earl Reid, Kyleen Reid Jones, Teleah Imani Slater, Darius Earl Burns, Terrell Omari Earl Slater, and Dylan Earl Ross; great-granddaughter, Mila Tiel Jones; sons-in-law, Kenneth Reid, Sr., Ted O. Slater, Jr., Kevin M. Burns, and William Ross; grandson-in-law, Chuck D. Jones; sister-in-law, Marie Holdipp of Pembroke, Bermuda; nieces, Julie Tucker Bean of Warwick, Bermuda and Michelle Musco of Staten Island, NY; nephew, Mark Gibson of Baltimore, MD; and a host of grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, and friends.

We are thankful that God gifted our mother, Helen Thompson, to us. She spiritually guided us to put God first in our lives. Our mother positively impacted our lives with her love, guidance, inspiration and support. We are forever indebted to our beloved and dear mother.

Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her love will remain in our hearts forever.

Rest peacefully, Mom. You have lived a long, beautiful life. Your work is done, and your legacy will live on through generations.

Rest In Heavenly Peace.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00noon Friday, August 28, 2026 at St. Stephen Episcopal Church. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:00noon on Friday at the Church.