Helen Sarah Strauss

Helen Sarah Strauss, age 94 of Mattoon, IL formerly of Tamarac, FL passed away at 1:20 pm, Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga, IL. A funeral service in her honor will be held at 4:00 PM, Monday, October 9, 2023, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Reverend David Knox is officiating. The visitation will be held from 3:00 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. The interment will take place at Star of David Memorial Gardens in North Lauderdale, FL. Helen was born on December 30, 1928, in The Bronx, NY to the late Max and Rebecca (Ashkinazy) Rappaport. She married Milton Strauss on April 10, 1949, in New York, NY; he preceded her in death on July 9, 2012. She is survived by two sons, Mark G. Strauss and wife Tana (Willaredt) of Mattoon, IL, Alan E. Strauss and wife Randy of Casa Grande, AZ; two brothers, Jack Rappaport of Los Angeles, CA, Jason Rappaport of Los Angeles, CA; seven grandchildren: Beth Fallacaro and husband Vincent of Hellertown, PA, Lindsay Hinkle and husband Carl of Rosswell, GA, Matthew Strauss and special friend Kate Warning of Champaign, IL, Jamie Taylor and husband Aaron of San Jose, CA, Robin Strauss of Savoy, IL, Laura Strauss of Illinois, Travis Blackwell of St. Paul, MN; five great-grandchildren: Jaxon, Asher, Preston, Vincent, and Alexa. Helen delighted in being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a former New York City Beauty Queen, an avid reader, and enjoyed playing cards and socializing with her friends. However, her most cherished moments were those spent visiting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as it filled her heart with deep joy. She will be sorely missed and lovingly remembered. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her honor may be made to Douglas-Hart Nature Center, 2204 Dewitt Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 or Mattoon Public Library, 1600 Charleston Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. A webcast video of the funeral will be available after the service via the web links below. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle or share a memory with the family.

Tributes

Helen Sarah Strauss

December 30, 1928 - October 3, 2023