Helen Iris Blair
BLAIR: Helen Iris Blair (nee Neft), longtime resident of Sewickley and beloved wife of the late Theodore T. Blair, Esq. and companion of Martin Childs, passed away surrounded by her family on March 25, 2016 from complications of pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her half-brother, James (Esther) Neft of Sewickley, Pa.; loving mother of Darren E Watzman and Roger Watzman of Mt. Lebanon and Dr. Dean Watzman of Cranberry Township, Pa. Stepmother of Theodore Turner Blair II of Alexandria, Va., and D. Troy Blair of Pittsburgh. Grandmother of Scott, Lexi, Liv, and Audrey Blair. Funeral services were conducted at Shaare Torah Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, with interment following at Adath Jeshurun Cemetery. Reared in Ambridge, Pa., Helen went on to complete her formal education at the Pennsylvania State University and University of Pittsburgh graduating in 1961, with bachelor’s degree in education. She was a teacher in the Fox Chapel School District for several years, before starting her own Travel Consulting Business. Intelligent, vivacious, and hardworking, Helen was a creative and skilled entrepreneur who always maintained a rich sense of humor. She owned and operated her own travel consulting agency, and became a world traveler and dedicated travel agent to countless families and business professionals throughout Pittsburgh and across the United States. Her greatest loves were preparing dinner for her family, making new friends, sharing her many interests and caring for her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, named Charley. An unstoppable force, Helen was widely known as a formidable tennis player, a superb chef and a passionate player of mah-jongg. Always a lover of fashion, her specialty was designing and creating women’s hats. She was an active member of the Beth Samuel Congregation of Ambridge, Temple Sinai of Squirrel Hill, the Newcomers Club of Sewickley and the Edgeworth Club. A steadfastly devoted mother, wife, and companion, she will be greatly missed by all. Contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or UPMC CancerCenter Development: UPMC Cancer Pavilion, 5150 Centre Ave., Suite 1B, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.
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