Helenka Agnes Bimstein

Helenka Bimstein completed her creative life on earth elegantly and gracefully, passing peacefully from natural causes while listening to her beloved Moonlight Sonata, surrounded by her whimsical, colorful art, with her last painting displayed on her kitchen table, all ready for her art show this January. Helenka brought so much joy, spirit, positivity, creativity, and beauty into this world, and gifted all who know and love her with such abounding ebullience for life, that it overflows continuously and infinitely into the spirit world she has always inhabited and now favors with her eternal presence. Not simply a resting place, but an inviting canvas for her to playfully paint her ingenious design. Ever since she walked into the Toledo Art Institute as a young girla€"and saw Egyptian art for the first timea€"Helenka wanted to make art inspired by spirituality and symbolism. She waited several decades until her four children had grown before she could finally apply herself to it. Then her art spontaneously emerged and flowered. In recent years her ideas just kept spiraling out faster and faster in a very fertile way, and she was constantly producing new and increasingly imaginative paintings and sculptures. Eternally young and vivacious, a seeker of beauty, an indomitable spirit, a devoted wife and nurturing mother, a caring friend, an expressive, generous hearta€"and a true artist in every possible waya€"Helenka inspired wonders, changed lives forever and left an enormous impact on all that she touched. She will be missed, yet she will always be remembered and loved, and we will always feel her inexhaustible spirit. Helenka was born in Newburgh, New York on August 24, 1914, to Constantine Szarlip and Michalina Statchoska Szarlip. She grew up in Toledo, Ohio, raised her family in Chicago, Glencoe and Winnetka, Illinois, and then lived for many adventurous years in Venice, California; Aspen, Colorado; and Sante Fe, New Mexico, before settling into her sweet beautiful home in Salt Lake City in 2007. In addition to managing her household and raising her children, Helenka sang, played piano, sculpted, painted, studied and practiced interior design, was a skillful bridge player and figure skater, and she windsurfed superbly in her 70s. She also loved historical romance novels about lords and ladies in England and Scotland. Helenka was proceeded in passing by her husband, LeRoy; her son, LeRoy, Jr.; and is joyously, lovingly remembered by her daughter, Barbara Shaw (Jed Shaw); son, Phillip Bimstein (Charlotte Bell); daughter, Kimberly Kory; brother, Joseph Lohn; grandchildren Guy Field and Lisa Hallaran; great-grandchildren, Dani, Madison and Jake Hallaran; daughters- and son-in-law, Marilyn Bimstein Conant, Blanche Blacke and Roger Field; niece Christine Lohn Goodson; many other wonderful nieces and nephews; legions of warm and admiring friends; and by her sweet kitty, (Cleo)Patra. One of Helenka's greatest joys was entertaining her friends at her beloved home. Therefore all who know and love her are invited to a celebration of her life and art at her home, Monday, September 20, between 6pm-9pm. Food and drink will be provided. Optionally, donations may be given in memory of Helenka Bimstein to Salt Lake Art Center (which supports and presents contemporary artists and art) via mail to 20 South West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, or by phone to 801.328.4201 ext. 117