Helen Elizabeth (Fortuna) Szepan

Helen Elizabeth (Fortuna) Szepan, 97, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2023, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack.

Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry, and son, Robert, she is survived by her daughter, Susan Szepan Slane, and grandson, John Robert Slane. Born on February 24, 1926, to Polish immigrants Adam and Elizabeth Fortuna, Helen was the youngest of four children. She graduated from Central High School and attended Colby-Sawyer Junior College, graduating in 1946. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. After marrying Henry in 1948, they lived in the Fortuna Apartments built by her father and raised their two children. She took over managing the apartments in 1960 for 26 years.

She was an avid reader of the Wall Street Journal and Investors Business Daily and managed her own stock portfolio. She adored her grandson, John, serving as a constant source of encouragement and positivity in his life. Annual family trips took her across the U.S. and meticulously-planned European vacations in 1965 and 1967. In keeping with Polish tradition, she prepared Wigilia from scratch every Christmas Eve, excluding fish, which she despised. In 1969, they built their dream hilltop home in Bedford, where they found sanctuary. The passing of her only son at age 22 was devastating.

Helen loved animals, especially cats, and nature, donating often to organizations such as the Humane Society, NH Audubon Society, and the Nature Conservancy. After Henry’s passing in 2008, steadfast, Helen continued to live on her own there until age 96. Her favorite activity was mowing her lawn until age 87. At 88 she learned to text on her iPad. Neighbors remember Helen’s independence and endurance, always smiling. Others interacting with her called her “feisty”. Avoiding doctors after the early 1970s, it wasn’t until the age of 93 that she had a primary care physician, and not of her own volition. Another example of Helen living life on her terms, doing it her way.

Donations can be sent in her memory to the Community Hospice House in Merrimack (www.hhhc.org) or the Animal Rescue League Of NH in Bedford, NH (www.rescueleague.org)