Helen Rita Marx

March 16, 2022

Helen Rita (Bennett) Marx, 93 years old, passed away March 16, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of her husband of 54 years, Kenneth E. Marx, Sr. predeceased her in 2003. Helen Rita (Bennett) Marx was born to the late Cora (Goodall) Bennett and Joseph Bennett on May 26, 1928, in Fall River, Ma. She graduated from Aldrich High School, Lakewood, RI with High Honors in 1946. After high school graduation, Helen attended The Comptometer School of Providence, Rhode Island and graduated in August 1946. Helen was the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Home Economics (Original name – Rhode Island State College changed to University of Rhode Island, College of Home Economics in 1951). She was employed at various companies in Accounts Receivables positions. Throughout her life, Helen was encompassed with music. From Sunday evening sing-alongs around the piano to music in the home or attending a show, music offered Helen solace. Rhodes on the Pawtucket’s ballroom, Cranston, RI was a central part of Helen’s late teens and early twenties. Helen danced to the live big bands – Benny Goodman, Louis Prima, Stan Kenton, Glen Miller. It was here Helen met her husband. Helen married Kenneth E. Marx, Sr., in 1949 in Providence, RI. They relocated from state to state many years for her husband to advance his professional career. Helen perceived each new relocation “as a new adventure; an opportunity to experience new places and make new friends.” Helen projected her strength and cheerful outlook to her children throughout the multiple relocations, making for a smoother transition in her new environment. From her high school years and throughout her adult years, Helen was known for her amazing desire and ability to be thorough, strong in convictions, and ready to listen, giving hope that tomorrow will be a better day. As a young girl, she was known as “Sweet Helen” and throughout her life, who ever met her would announce, “She is so sweet.” Helen was a proud mother and a loving mother to all. Since early childhood and into her late teens, you could find Helen and her family camping yearly at the Myles Standish State Forest, Plymouth, MA. It is here, Helen would be strolling along the trails, canoeing on the water, or relaxing on the beach with a book after a swim. In the home, you could always find Helen reading a book. As a mother, she cherished reading with her children. Summer days, you would find Helen and her family gardening the flowers and vegetables together. Many Saturday evenings would include Bridge with their best friends, not to mention among the serious moments of the card game, moments of laughter raining from the room. In her adult years, Helen was always ready to discuss current events. Helen was proud to cast her vote in the elections, even when she had to do an absentee ballot. In her senior years, Helen knitted blankets and donated the blankets to the Project Linus, a non-profit organization to provide security to children in crisis situations. Also, she donated handmade baby bonnets to children’s hospitals. Her other knitting projects included making winter hats and scarves for others in the Rhode Island community. She served on the Episcopal Altar Guild for some years in Coventry, RI. Helen was predeceased by her twin sons: Kenneth E. Marx, Jr., and Kevin E. Marx She is survived by her two children, Deborah (Marx) Olijnyk and her husband, Alberto Olijnyk, Karen (Marx) D’Andrea, as well as six grandchildren Frank D’Andrea III and his wife Noha D’Andrea, Sheri (Olijnyk) Hartman, Steven D’Andrea and his wife Dr. Jessica Papa-D’Andrea, DPT., Dr. Cari J. (Olijnyk) Wakeman, DPh. And her husband Scott Wakeman, Nicole D’Andrea, and Julia Darby. She also leaves seven great-grandchildren. Services are respectfully private. In Lieu of Flowers, the family request donations be made to Insight (Services the Blind & Visually Impaired - Infancy - Late Adulthood), 43 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02888.