Helen Gladys O'Brien, circa 1942–1943
"Dear little Helen, so sweet and so fair..."
Forever Eight
Fourth child of Miles Murtha O'Brien and Lillian Josephine Robertson, born in 1940 in Caldwell, New Jersey. Helen Gladys was named for her aunt — Helen Gladys Robertson, Lillian's only sister, the one who had stood beside her through the tragedy of losing both parents in 1924.
It was a name full of meaning, a tribute to the bond between the "little Misses Robertson." But tragedy followed the name Helen in this family. In 1942, Aunt Helen Gladys died of tuberculosis — the same disease that had killed their mother. Six years later, in 1948, eight-year-old Helen Gladys O'Brien died too.
She was the only child Miles and Lillian buried.
Named for: Her aunt, Helen Gladys Robertson Verhoek (c. 1907–1942)
Died: 1948, age 8
Parents: Miles Murtha O'Brien & Lillian Josephine Robertson
For Helen
A poem by her eldest sister, Lillian Marie O'Brien
For Helen
Dear little Helen, so sweet and so fair,
With beautiful eyes and lovely hair,
A more beautiful baby we could have not seen,
In all God's creation, you reigned as a queen.
Your burdens were heavy, your tasks were few,
And we of your kingdom, so little could do
To lighten the burdens He gave unto you.
Dear little Helen, so lovely and pure,
Burning with love of that we are sure,
One morning quite early He called unto thee
To come unto Him, the fair Countenance to see.
And so you departed from us here below
To kneel by the side of the Sacred Heart's glow,
And pray for the family, who loves you so.
— Lillian Marie O'Brien
Losing Helen — Twice
Lillian named her fourth daughter after the person who mattered most in her life — her sister Helen Gladys Robertson, the one who had shared the orphan's burden after their parents died twelve days apart in January 1924.
But tragedy seemed to follow the name. On July 21, 1942, Helen Gladys Robertson Verhoek died in North Caldwell, New Jersey. The cause was tuberculosis — the same disease that had killed their mother eighteen years earlier. She was approximately thirty-five years old, leaving behind her husband Leslie J. Verhoek and two children.
The "little Misses Robertson" who had once posed together in matching dresses were now separated forever. Lillian had lost her parents at eighteen; now, at thirty-seven, she lost the sister who had shared that orphan's journey with her.
Six years later, in 1948, tragedy struck the name Helen again. Eight-year-old Helen Gladys O'Brien died. The family had now lost two Helens — the aunt in 1942, the daughter in 1948.
When Lillian herself died in 1995, her obituary listed among those who predeceased her: "her daughter, Helen G. O'Brien, in 1948." Forty-seven years, and still she carried that loss.
The Only Family Photo
The complete O'Brien family with Helen
The O'Brien Family, circa 1946–1947.
Back row: Jeanne, Barbara (age 10, in hat), Lillian Marie (in hat). Center: Miles holding a twin, Helen (age 6), Lillian holding a twin.
This is the only photograph of the complete family with Helen.
Remembering Helen
Every photograph is precious
Helen Gladys, circa 1942–1943
Mother Lillian with Barbara Helen and the twins Jul 1946
Lillian, Barbara and Helen c. 1944–1947
Miles with Helen and the twins c.1947
Helen with Lillian and Michael
Helen with veil and twins in walkers
Lillian with her daughter Helen