Helen Cohen Fagelson

Helen Cohen Fagelson of Fairfax, Virginia passed away on Wednesday. November 16, 2022. She is predeceased by her husband, Bernard Fagelson, parents, Charles and Rose Cohen and brothers, Sydney, David, Gil, Harold, and Stanley. Helen is survived by her son, John Fagelson (Karen) and grandchildren, Sam Fagelson (Elissa) and Max Fagelson (Katherine). Helen was born on July 7, 1917 in Port Chester, New York. Helen was a true member of the “greatest generation.” She survived two pandemics and the Great Depression. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro she returned to New York and joined American Airlines where she became responsible for all seat assignments for the entire east coast. She was perfectly willing to tell a politically important millionaire ambassador that his priority was less than an Army private on his last leave before going overseas and the ambassador would just have to wait for a flight the next day. She met her beloved husband, Bernard Fagelson, on a blind date arranged by a cousin. She came down to Washington, met him at 8:00 in the evening and was engaged by 11:00. She had personal style and impeccable taste. Her interest in fashion and fabrics led her to a business selling fabric remnants. She would visit the Fashion District along Seventh Avenue dropping into the designers to buy the bolts of fabrics left over from each season’s designs which she would sell from a shop set up in what had been the janitor’s closet of an apartment building. The shop came to be known as “The Closet” and developed a following from people who appreciated good fabrics. She and Bernard were anglophiles who visited England for decades and made many friends there. She was a fierce defender of her son and her friends and adored her grandchildren and her dogs. She will be remembered a person of style, taste and character. A graveside service will be held at Aguas Achim Cemetery on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 starting at 10:00AM. After the graveside service, friends and family are welcome to sit shiva taking place at Agudas Achim Congregation starting at 7:30PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to a Insight Memory Care Center in Helen’s honor.

Tributes

Helen Cohen Fagelson

July 3, 1917 - November 16, 2022