Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to an Irish immigrant father, Patrick Francis Lande, and German mother, Hilda Hughes Lande, Helen Marie Lande Perrin spent 45 years in Brownwood and considered herself a native. Known for her intelligence and wit, she was valedictorian at Saint Saviour High School in Brooklyn, received a B.A in History (Summa cum Laude) from Saint Joseph’s University in Brooklyn, completed a summer fellowship at Johns Hopkins University, received an M.A. in Education and an M.A. in Psychology (both Summa cum Laude) from Saint Joseph’s University, and also pursued a PhD in Psychology. Helen ranked first out of 500 teachers in the 1956 Five-Part Competitive Examination for Permanent Tenure among High School Teachers of Social Studies in New York City and also placed first in a similar examination for junior high school teachers.
While Helen taught history and math at the secondary level in New York City and Brownwood for over fifteen years, she also developed interests in creative writing, acting and public speaking. Starting with editing school publications, she later wrote for “The Brownwood Bulletin” for many years, as well as for various service and company newsletters. Helen’s community engagement expanded far beyond the classroom. Long interested in the theater, Helen progressed from competing in oratorical contests and participating in school productions, to training high school students for competitions and school plays. She also appeared in civic theater productions in both New York City and Brownwood. As an outgrowth of delivering speeches for banquets and civic clubs in the community, she became a professional speaker and book reviewer.
Helen was a natural born leader. While her children were young, Helen involved herself with volunteer activities, co-founding the Brownwood Hospital Auxiliary and founding Brownwood’s local blood bank. She was president of the Newcomer’ Club, board member of the American Heart Association and the former Knife and Fork Club, and publicity director for the Cultural Commission’s Drama Panel. She was an officer with Rotary Ann, the local PTA, Brownwood Women’s Club, and the Brownwood Civic Theater. She was also a member of the Junior Twentieth Century Club and Circuit Writers and was involved in publicity efforts for the United Way and the Girl Scouts. For these and similar activities, she was named “Outstanding Woman of Brownwood” in 1976 by the Brownwood Jaycees.
Helen was active in St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, teaching Sunday school for 17 years, serving on the parish council, and organizing annual parish picnics and other various events. For over 40 years, she and her husband, Donald, were Lectors and Ministers of the Eucharist. For many years, she would pray the Stations of the Cross at St. Mary each weekday morning to start her day.
Outside of Brownwood, she was an avid traveler and explorer, having lived in Australia and visited Hong Kong, Japan, and Europe with her husband. In later years, she visited Europe on many occasions with her daughter and granddaughter. These trips always ended with a week in New York City to spend time with friends and family and to show off her city. In 2012, she relocated to Dallas to be closer to her two daughters and grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Lawrence Perrin, son-in-law, Tim Levy, siblings Patricia Lande, Jeanne Anderson, and Robert Lande. She is survived by daughters Denise Levy of Italy, Texas, and Helaine Blizzard of Dallas, grandsons Jonathon Levy, Mark Levy, and Matthew Levy, granddaughters Catherine Blizzard and Sarah Levy, and sisters-in-law Carol Lande and Roberta Canfield.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 4th, at Heritage Funeral Home, Davis-Morris Chapel, from 6:00pm-8:00pm. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00pm on Wednesday, May 4th, in the Davis-Morris Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 5th, at 10:30am at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Brownwood with the burial immediately following. A reception for friends and family will be held at Brownwood Country Club.
Memorial gifts in celebration of Helen’s life may be made to charities involved with education or veterans.
Services entrusted to the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Davis-Morris Chapel in Brownwood. Friends and family are encouraged to view the online memorial at www.heritagefuneraltx.com.
