In loving memory of Helen and Robert Van Houten. Together forever
Helen Van Houten, 96, of Southbury, CT, formerly of Westchester County, New York, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 2, 2021 in Hamden, CT. She was born on June 23, 1925 in Manhattan, New York to Steven Sallai and Julia (Laczko) Sallai. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Robert Van Houten. She is survived by her son Robert Van Houten, her daughter Katherine Benard, her son-in-law Alan, and her grandchildren, Madison, Robert and Kindel Van Houten and Jason Benard.
Helen was an accomplished violinist who grew up on the upper east side of Manhattan and attended the Turtle Bay Music School and the High School of Music and Art in New York City. After high school she worked at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency. During this time, she started corresponding with Bob who was serving in the United States Navy during World War II and who became her devoted husband of 67 years. She was proud of her Hungarian heritage, her parents having arrived through Ellis Island from Hungary in the 1920’s, and she spoke fluent Hungarian and traveled many times to Hungary to visit relatives still living there.
Helen loved performing in community orchestras and going to concerts and inspired her children and grandchildren to love music and culture. She performed on violin with the Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra in Westchester County, the Danbury Community Orchestra at the Danbury Music Centre, and various spring and summer stock musical productions at Westlake High School in Thornwood, New York. She was an active supporter of political and environmental causes and believed in voicing her concern for social issues by participating in peaceful protests for women’s rights, preservation of the environment, anti-nuclear proliferation and against the Vietnam War. She enjoyed knitting, going to museums, traveling, and meeting friends for lunch in Manhattan and then heading to a Broadway show.
Robert Van Houten April 30, 1925 - February 29, 2016
Robert Van Houten, 90, of Southbury, CT, formerly of Westchester County, New York
passed away peacefully on Monday, February 29, 2016 in Danbury, CT. He was born on April 30, 1925 in the Bronx, New York to Edward Van Houten and Lillian (Jarvis) Van Houten. He is pre-deceased by his brother, Thomas Van Houten. He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen (Sallai) Van Houten, his son Robert Van Houten, his daughter Katherine Benard and her husband Alan, and his grandchildren, Madison, Robert and Kindel Van Houten and Jason Benard.
Bob lived his life in service, dedication, and devotion to others. He enlisted in the Navy at 17 years of age to serve his country in World War II. During the war, he corresponded with Helen who became his cherished wife of 67 years. After the war he became a master upholsterer working for an interior design firm in the Bronx until his retirement. His children remember him as a patient father with a strong work ethic who encouraged them to pursue their dreams. He treasured his grandchildren and took great pride in their accomplishments. Over the past 20 years, living in Southbury, he volunteered at the Southbury Training School where everyone he met became an instant friend.
During the spring and summer you could find Bob at the community gardens tending to his prized vegetable garden or puttering around the rock garden that he devoted to Helen. He enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida where he collected shells which he transformed into beautiful shell wreaths for family and friends. Bob and Helen traveled the country to attend the U.S.S. White Plains reunions where he reconnected with other veterans who served with him during World War II. He was a boxing fan, an avid reader and he loved traveling, gardening, and fishing.
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