Obituary of Helen White

Helen Norton White died peacefully in her home on July 23, 2024. The cause was complications from Parkinson's disease.

Born in New York City in 1940 to Agnes and William Norton, Helen grew up in Inwood alongside her sister, Mary, and brother, Willy, with numerous McCabe and O’Brien cousins nearby. She studied sociology at Marymount College, graduating early in order to marry and start a family with her first husband, Daniel Patrick White, Jr, in Poughkeepsie, NY. She had five children in quick succession, worked, volunteered, and attended graduate school, achieving her master’s degree in social work from Adelphi University in 1978. Following her divorce, Helen moved to Denver where she married Shel Simon in 1979. She spent her career in the medical field starting as a social worker at St. Joseph’s Hospital and ending up as the practice director at Denver Injury Evaluation and Treatment Center. She retired in 2007 after helping many people and creating lifelong friendships along the way.

Helen was an unapologetic advocate and humanist, whose empathy, work ethic, and boundless curiosity set an example for her children and grandchildren. Her passions included cooking, baking, reading, gardening, crossword puzzles, sewing, Scrabble, painting, writing, running (even completing a marathon!), politics, travel, bargain hunting, and above all, spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Helen never missed a chance for adventure. She crisscrossed  the United States making countless visits to her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. Her intellectual curiosity also sparked a love for travel abroad. Her travel destinations included Kenya, Russia, India, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Galapagos Islands, and many trips to Europe. While she seldom missed an opportunity to bring home souvenirs for all her loved ones, she also always brought back stories about the lives of the people she met and the cultures she learned about and grew from, thus instilling a passion for travel and learning in her family.

In her later years, she focused her formidable energies on writing. She was proud of the book she co-wrote in 2016 with her sister, Mary, on the history of their ancestors, The Norton Brennan Family: Dreamers, Adventurers, Builders. 

She showed her love through careful listening, providing insights, thoughtful advice-giving, and being of service in any way she could be, and, importantly, feeding people. She was an excellent cook and even better baker. Count yourself lucky if you ever had her baklava, four-layer-bars, pesto, or green chili. She was the mother-in-law and MomMom who showed up when babies were born. Her gift was knowing what help was needed without asking or being told, freezers were stocked, diapers were changed, support was given and stories of parenting were shared.

She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to multiply through all those who knew her, especially her children and grandchildren.

Helen is survived by her children and spouses: Julie White, Bill White & Kathy McAleer; Keith White & Maura Mahoney; Kelly White & Sam Brown; Heather & John Winters; Julie Simon Grabill & Vin Grabill; her grandchildren: Alec White & Ira Moyvan, Sarah & Kyle White, Ian White, Patrick White, Maeve White, Molly Grabill, Colleen White, Honor White, Daniel White, Cecilia White, Agnes Brown, Clifford Brown, Finn Winters, Owen Winters, Henry Brown, and Declan Winters. Those who will also miss her dearly include, her beloved older sister, Mary Norton, and dear younger brother Willy and his wife, Linda Norton; brother in law, Joe White, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is predeceased by her beloved son Daniel Patrick White, III; and devoted husband Shel Simon, and step-daughter Cathy Simon.

A memorial service & reception will be held at the Denver Botanic Gardens in the Annuals Garden on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Helen’s memory, donations may be made to the Denver Public Library or Colorado Public Radio.