Edna Landsman is the wife of Arnold Helfet, my 1st cousin 2x removed. Helfet family HERE
Born: 11 August 1921 in George, South Africa
Married: Arnold Helfet on 7 September 1941 in South Africa. Arnold was age 30 and Edna age 20
-004.jpg)
Children
Their first child was born in 1943 when Arnold was 32 and Edna 21. Their last child was born in 1953 when Arnold was 42 and Edna 32
- Linda Gail Helfet 1943 -
- Edsel Keith Helfet 1946 -
- Leon Michael Helfet 1950 - 1952
- Clive Helfet 1953 -
Edna (in the centre) with my mom (at right) and her friend Mavis Lipkin at left in Dalesbrook, Cape Town in January 1955
Edna with Arnold's siblings and their spouses in Cape Town on 23 January 1960. Back row: Cyril Helfet, Edna Helfet (Nee Landsman), Arnold Helfet, Theo Helfet, Celia Helfet (Nee Polen), Arthur Helfet
Front row Girlie Meyers (Nee Helfet), Cynthia Helfet (Nee Bernstein), Nathalie Helfet (Nee Freedman)
Travel
.jpg)
Biographical details
Plett local Edna Helfet celebrates her 100 Year Birthday!
Women’s Day was celebrated on Monday the 9th of August 2021 and Edna is definitely a woman worth celebrating.
Renowned Plett local Edna Helfet celebrated her 100 year birthday at the Barrington’s Brewery on Wednesday the 11 August 2021.
For those who haven’t had the good fortune to meet Edna, here is a brief, beautifully penned biography from her family.
‘Edna Helfet came into the world as Edna Landsman on August 11, 1921, in George, Western Cape. She would live in Calvinia, Cape Town, and Boston before returning “home” to Plettenberg Bay in 2001, a mere fifty miles from where she was born.
With her beloved Arnold, she raised three children in Cape Town and traveled to the four corners of the earth. A long-time member of the Black Sash, an anti-Apartheid protest organization, and a volunteer for many years with the South African Council of Churches Dependants Conference, an organization that facilitated visits by family members to political prisoners on Robben Island.
The venerable matriarch of her far-flung family, she’s the loving grandmother of five and great-grandmother to five more.
Edna has led an extraordinarily well-lived life (13 August 2021,
https://showme.co.za/plett/interactive/local-personalities/plett-local-edna-helfet-celebrates-her-100-year-birthday/)
Two pictures of Edna celebrating her 100th birthday
Death
17 April 2024 at age 102 in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Obituary
OBITUARY FOR EDNA HELFET
EDNA HELFET DIED ON APRIL 17, 2024
Born Edna Landsman in George, Western Cape, she would go on to live in Calvinia, Cape Town, and Boston before returning “home” to Plettenberg Bay, a mere fifty miles from where she was born, in 2001. With her beloved husband Arnold, she raised three children in Cape Town and travelled to the four corners of the earth.
Edna was a long-time member of the Black Sash and a volunteer for many years with the South African Council of Churches Dependants Conference. As a Rotarian, she pioneered the introduction of MedicAlert bracelets in South Africa. The venerable matriarch of her far-flung family, she was the loving mother of three, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of five more.
Edna passed away peacefully on April 17, 2024, in Plettenberg Bay aged one hundred and two. She led an extraordinarily well-lived life. (Cape Jewish Chronicle, 1 May 2024)
Black Sash Obituary
Edna Helfet Tribute
August 1921 – April 2024
Edna Landsman lived a remarkable life marked by her dedication to justice, community
service, and family. From August 1921 to April 2024, she left an indelible mark on those
around her through her activism, volunteerism, and pioneering efforts.
Early Life and Influences
Edna was born in George, Western Cape, and raised by a mother who was a leading figure in
the local Girl Guides. This early exposure to leadership and community service profoundly
influenced Edna's worldview. The injustices of apartheid South Africa ignited her passion for
activism. During the 1950s, she became actively involved with Black Sash. Her participation in
protests and meetings exemplified her commitment to opposing the oppressive regime.
Activism and Community Involvement
Edna's activism was fuelled by her strong sense of justice. She was known for her persuasive
nature and unwavering resolve. Her involvement with Black Sash provided a supportive
network of like-minded women dedicated to combating apartheid. Her commitment to this
cause involved significant personal sacrifices, including putting her safety at risk.
A member of the Cape Town – Sea Point branch of Black Sash, Edna often hosted meetings at
her penthouse apartment on Sea Point Beach Road. Her dedication to justice extended
beyond apartheid; she supported various causes and inspired others to stand up for their
beliefs.
“…Edna had a passion for justice and was immensely supportive of others taking a stand on
issues of concern…” Di Oliver
Family and Personal Life
Edna married and settled in Calvinia before moving to Cape Town in 1948. It was in Cape Town
that she encountered a leftist socialist group that furthered her understanding and
involvement in activism. Her urban experiences, combined with her rural upbringing,
deepened her awareness of societal injustices.
With her husband Arnold, Edna raised three children in Cape Town. They travelled
extensively, exploring the world together. Her family was a central pillar of her life, and she
relished her roles as mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
“Mom was a beacon of resilience and courage, and she deeply inspired me in every aspect of
my life. Her unwavering commitment to justice and her boundless compassion guided my own
path and work. I admired her immensely, not just for her accomplishments, but for the love
and wisdom she shared with all of us. Her legacy is a reminder of how one person can make a
tremendous difference.” — Linda Helfet.
Innovations and Later Life
Edna was a creative thinker and a trailblazer. She played a crucial role in establishing blood
donation services in Cape Town and introduced MedicAlert bracelets to South Africa through
her Rotary Club efforts. These contributions highlighted her commitment to public health and
safety.
In her later years, Edna lived in Boston, USA, for 19 years before returning to South Africa in
2001, settling in Plettenberg Bay. Her return brought her full circle, as Plettenberg Bay was
close to her birthplace. She continued to be a revered figure in her community until her
peaceful passing on 17 April 2024, at the age of 102.
Legacy
Edna Landsman leaves behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and relentless pursuit of
justice. Her life's work with Black Sash, her volunteerism with the South African Council of
Churches Dependants Conference, and her pioneering efforts in her capacity as a Rotary
member stand as testaments to her impactful life. Her family, friends, and the many lives she
touched will remember her as a venerable matriarch who lived an extraordinarily well-lived
life.
(https://www.blacksash.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Edna-Helfet-Tribute-Black-Sash-2024.pdf)
Residences
At the time of her husband Arnold's death in 1983 the family were living at 301 Somerset Place, 7 Beach Rd, Mouille Point, Cape Town, South Africa