Helen Illian Dickinson

Illian-Dickinson, Helen, 101, of Petaluma, CA (former Rockland County Resident) passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15, 2023 joining the love of her life, George, in heaven.  Born Helen Edith Heil on August 29, 1921 to her parents Ralph & Ida Heil. She was predeceased by husbands George Illian & Fred Dickinson. Survived by her children Geoffrey Illian, Glenn (Pamela) Illian & Corinne (John) Julian as well as her 4 grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren.  Helen spent a happy childhood on Ehrhardt Road in Pearl River where her grandfather, mother, aunts/uncles and their families all resided.  She spent 50+ years doing what she loved, nursing people back to health at Englewood Hospital & Nyack Hospital ending her career at Nyack Manor Nursing Home.  Helen even received a certificate from New York State honoring her 50 years in Nursing.  In her early years of nursing she met and married George. They settled on Briarwood Drive in New City where they raised their children and spent their summers on Waneta Lake. Years after George passed she married Fred & they spent time traveling the world. In her spare time she was very active in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Women’s Boutique & Bible Study.  Helen loved to cook, bake & host neighborhood/family celebrations.  Everyone loved her famous cream puffs & she was the life of the party wherever she was. The family extends their appreciation to Vani, Valley Orchard & Petaluma Valley Hospital for all they did caring for Helen.  At her request there will be no viewing & her ashes will be buried next to George. Memorial gifts can be made to Earle Baum Center of the Blind, 4539 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa CA 95401 or St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 323 S Main St, New City, NY 10956.